Top 9 Best Laptops For VR Development

Gamers in the mainstream are embracing virtual reality, and the experience is incredible. They’re more immersive and captivating compared to traditional games. Watching them or making them can be fun even when you aren’t playing VR yourself.

If you are into 3D modeling and VR game development, then you know that the tools you need are not cheap. And to get a top-of-the-line graphics card and a powerful CPU, you are going to have to spend a lot.

Nevertheless, not everyone can afford to pay such a hefty sum, and selecting the best laptop for VR development can be a challenge. So, I’ve compiled a list of laptops suitable for this type of work.

Let’s look at these options without further delay.

List Of 9 Best Laptops For Vr Development In 2022

Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that makes it seem like you are actually there. To create a virtual reality environment, realistic landscapes, and characters, you will need a laptop that has powerful components.

Below, I’ve reviewed some good laptops for VR development. You’ll notice a lot of them are primarily gaming laptops, but that’s because the best gaming laptops are usually heavy duty, so they are great choices for this. Keep reading below and you’ll understand what makes them good:

1. MSI GS66 Stealth 15.6″ Ultra Thin Gaming Laptop

Specifications
CPU	Intel core i7-11800H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX3080 (16 GB GDDR6)
Clock Speed	2.4 GHz (Up to 4.6GHz)
RAM	16GB DDR4 (8 GB x 2)
Storage	1TB NVMe SSD
No. of cores	8
Size	15.6″
Weight	4.63 lbs
Display Technology	Anti Glare, 100% DCI-P3
Maximum Display Resolution	2560 x 1440 pixels  (2K)
Dimensions	‎0.71″ L x 14.17″ Wx 9.65″ H
Wi-Fi	WiFi 6E AX1675
Bluetooth	5.2
Speakers	2x Dynaudio Speakers
Battery Capacity	99.9 WHr
Ports	1x Thunderbolt 4.0, 1x HDMI, 2x Type-A USB Gen 3.2, 1x Type-C USB Gen 3.2, 1x RJ45
Webcam	720p HD
OS	Windows 10 H

Reasons to get

1. Attractive Per key RGB keyboard
2. MSI center support for dedicated gaming mode
3. 240Hz display with 100% DCI-P3 color quality
4. 0.1 mm thin fan blade design

Reasons to avoid

1. Average sound quality

Make some space, a powerhouse is coming through! This beast of a machine is a top pick for anyone who wants to play hardcore games, multitask or run high demanding applications.

While it does have 11th gen core i7 with 8 cores, the star of the show is the Nvidia RTX 3080, which enables it to perform excruciatingly challenging tasks like VR development.

I know what you’re thinking, this kind of task usually overheats the laptop right? No worries, this bad boy has 3 fans and 7 pipes with a trinity+ airflow boost that keeps the laptop cool. It tops all other previous MSI models in this department.

And, the 240 Hz screen also deserves praise, as it makes a hell of a difference while gaming. Plus, there’s the 99 Whr battery for that extra usage, it is one of the biggest batteries on a laptop. One of my only disappointments with this laptop is that while everything else is spectacular, the sound quality is something you see in most laptops, I wish they’d put a bit of effort there as well.

Even so, I’d say this is definitely not a deal breaker for anyone who wants a high spec laptop, whether it is for gaming or to be massively productive.

2.  ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 VR-Ready Gaming Laptop

Specifications
CPU	AMD Ryzen 9-5900HS Processor
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Max-Q (8GB) GDDR6
Clock Speed	3.1GHz (up to 4.5GHz)
RAM	16 GB
Storage	1TB PCIe SSD
Display Technology	Anti Glare, 100% DCI-P3
Maximum Display Resolution	2560 x 1440p (2K)
No. of Cores	8
Size	15.6″
Dimensions	‎14″ L x 9.57″ W x 0.78″ H
Weight	4.21 lbs
Wi-Fi	WiFi 6 (802.11 ax)
Bluetooth	5.1
Ports	1x HDMI,1x RJ45 LAN, 2 x USB 3.2 Type A,  2 x USB 3.2 Type C, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, 1x MicroSD Card Reader
Speakers	6x 2.5W speakers with Dolby Atmos
OS	Windows 10

Reasons to get

1. 8 GB GDDR6 ram for super-fast rendering for VR
2. 2 cooling fans and 6 pipes
3. 2-way noise cancellation for better communication
4. Complies with 100 percent of the sRGB and 89 percent of the AdobeRGB gamut

Reasons to avoid

1. Should have had a 240 Hz screen for that price
2. There is no HD webcam.

VR development is something that needs a lot of firepower. And when we talk about the best heavy-duty laptops, you can’t really avoid the Asus ROG. The Zephyrus G14 was already ahead of its peers in a lot of ways. And, the G15 is a great upgrade to it.

There is no one good thing about it, instead, it’s the entire package that works as a singular unit. The Ryzen 9-5900HS with the powerful RTX 3070 and 1 TB SSD gives you enough strength to compute hardcore VR software and programs like Windows Mixed Reality Ultra, HTC Vive, etc.

And when it comes to gaming, it gives the MSI GS66 good competition despite having a lower price tag. The only edge the MSI flagship has over this is the higher framerates, but that shouldn’t bother you unless you’re playing a professional FPS gamer.

But even so, the 165 Hz screen gives you a damn good view and the movements on the screen look fluid enough with amazingly sharp color clarity. Remember though, there’s no webcam on it, so you’ll have to use an external one.

A small price to pay for getting a jaw-dropping laptop otherwise.

3. MSI GE75 Raider 10SFS-291Gaming Laptop

Specifications
CPU	i7-10875H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX2070 Super 8G
Clock Speed	2.3 GHz (Up to 5.1 GHz)
RAM	32 GB DDR4 3200 MHz (16GB x 2) [Upgradable to 64 GB]
Storage	1TB NVMe SSD
Size	17.3″
Weight	5.8 lbs
Display Technology	IPS,
Maximum Display Resolution	1920x1080p
No. of Cores	8
Dimensions	10.43″ L x 14.17″ W x 0.91″ H
Wi-Fi	WiFi 6 AX1650 (802.11 ax)
Webcam	720p
Speakers	2x 3W speakers + 2x 3W Subwoofers
Ports	1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2), 2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x HDMI, 1x Mic-in, 1x Headphone-out
Card Reader	SD, SDHC, SDXC
OS	Windows 10 H

Reasons to get

1. 16.7 million color RGB backlighting
2. Features color gamut of 72 percent of NTSC
3. Good temperature control
4. Full sized SD card slots

Reasons to avoid

1. No G-sync
2. Comparatively less battery backup

In terms of flagship offerings, the GE75 Raider is second only to MSI’s GT75 Titan. There’s just something about the stylish dragon shield on the matte lid, paired with the two red vertical striped ridges on the sides, that makes this laptop look amazing.

For visual clarity, it is one of the best. And you know what? That’s exactly what you want for VR. The IPS display also makes it an amazing choice for gaming as it gives you wider angles. Plus, the color fidelity is amazing too! 72% NTSC color gamut is a high amount for displays in notebooks.

I’m yet to come to the good part, the keys have multicolor RGB backlighting on a per-key basis, it’s a glorious sight to behold. And, that’s not all, even the USB ports have backlighting as well.

Even though the keyboard isn’t as good as laptops with mechanical keyboards, they still feel pretty well. You’ll feel comfy while gaming on it.

Overall, this is a respectable laptop. It’s not the best of the lot I have today but certainly has its benefits.

4. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 UX582 Laptop

Specifications
CPU	Intel Core i7-10870H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
Clock Speed	up to 5.0 GHz (16M cache)
RAM	16 GB DDR4
Storage	1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Size	15.6″
No. of Cores	8
Weight	5.16 lbs
Maximum Display Resolution	3840 x 2160 (4K)
Display Technology	OLED, Secondary Tilting Display
Wi-Fi	WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth	5.0
Stylus	Available
Touchscreen	Available
Ports	1x HDMI, 1x USB 3.0 Type-A Gen 2, 2 x Thunderbolt 3.0 1x DC-in, 1x Headphone Audio Jack
OS	Windows 10 Pro

Reasons to get

• Provides instantaneous visuals via a secondary touchscreen display
• Cross screen multitasking using ScreenXpert 2 software
• 100% DCI-P3 color gamut with True Black HDR for clear visuals
• 2 ms response time display for the gamers

Reasons to avoid

• Gets heated up often

After the ROG series, Zenbook from ASUS is my personal favorite. I myself owned one and recommended it to a lot of my friends because it has it all.

It is one of those laptops which has a bit for everyone. The powerful combination of the 10th gen core i7 processor and RTX 3070 will certainly attract users who need a highly functioning laptop. The biggest attraction of this awe-inspiring laptop is its secondary touchscreen display.

It sits right above the keyboard and you can tilt it to create a 144.5-degree angle to create a simultaneous continuation of the main display.

The screenpad comes with a lot of handy features like app switching, window flix, maximum view; all of which are useful when 3D rendering for VR development. You also get a stylus to navigate the touchpad easier.

The rich color gamut, quick response time and HDR will attract gamers massively. So it’s not just a laptop for VR development but also a power packed touchscreen gaming laptop as well. If there was an option for using it as a tablet, then I would have mentioned it on my best 2-in-1 laptop with stylus article as well.

5. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 2020 14″ VR Ready Laptop

Specifications
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 4800H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
RAM (Memory)	16GB DDR4 SDRAM
Clock Speed	Up to 4.2GHz
No. of Processors	8
Storage	1 TB SSD
Screen Size	14″ Full HD, ‎1920 x 1080(max)
Weight	3.64 lbs
Dimensions (L x W x H)	12.8 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
Ports	2 x USB 3.0 (Type A), 1 x USB Type C, 2 x USB 3.2 (Type C), 1 x HDMI(output)
OS	Windows 10

Reasons to get

• Good-looking laptop with solid Reasons to avoid traction
• Highly portable and lightweight
• Excellent graphics card and crisp display

Reasons to avoid

• There is no anime matrix display

Asus’s high-end laptop features a simple and intuitive interface and an impressive built-quality. The sleek and simple design makes working with the wizard a pleasure.

The best thing about this Asus masterpiece is that it weighs around 3.5 pounds to ensure maximum portability. In addition to that, it is equipped with massive storage to accommodate all the necessary software for VR development.

Moreover, this VR-ready laptop comes with a 14-inch display, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, and a wide array of other features that make it great for developing VR applications. Yes, this device is compatible with Windows Mixed Reality Ultra, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive.

Ultimately, if you want a super laptop that can run development software for virtual reality, then you should definitely consider the ASUS ROG Zephyrus.

6. ASUS TUF FX706 VR Ready Gaming Laptop

Specifications
CPU	Intel 11th Gen i5-11260H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
RAM (Memory)	16GB DDR4 SDRAM
Clock Speed	Up to 4.4 GHz, 12 MB cache
No. of Processors	6
Storage	1 TB SSD
Screen Size	17.3″ Full HD, ‎1920 x 1080(max)
Weight	3.75 lbs
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.2 x 10.1 x 1 inch
Ports	3 X USB 3.2 Gen1, 1X HDMI, 1 X Thunderbolt 4 (Type-C), 1 X Combo Jack (Headphone/Microphone)
OS	Windows 10

Reasons to get

• It is designed for intensive video editing
• Solidly built laptop with a good appearance
• Comfortable keyboard and touchpad

Reasons to avoid

• The battery performance is not satisfactory

The Asus TUF laptop will really impress anyone who loves Asus products. No doubt, this remarkable Asus product will be indispensable to anyone who intends to create and use VR content or use VR applications.

Furthermore, you will be able to increase your productivity with its fast rendering speeds. Plus, it offers the best processing power and graphics that are required for the best VR experiences. With the powerful and latest i5 processor, you can have more than enough processing power to run all the latest games.

It comes with the NVIDIA RTX 3050 graphics card, which is capable of handling all your VR games at full graphics quality. The TUF FX706 even comes with a high-resolution 144Hz display, making sure you get the best experience in VR.

It’s also got an excellent backlit keyboard that’s designed for gaming and typing. I believe,  the TUF FX706 is an ideal choice for any VR enthusiast looking for a powerful laptop that’s also comfortable to use.

7. Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop

Specifications
CPU	Intel i7-10750H 10th gen
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
RAM (Memory)	16GB Dual-Channel DDR4
Clock Speed	Up to 5
No. of Processors	6
Storage	512 GB SSD
Screen Size	15.6″ Full HD, ‎1920 x 1080(max)
Weight	5.07 lbs
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.31 x 10.04 x 0.9 inches
Ports	1 X USB Type-C, 1 X USB 3. 2 Gen 2, 2 X USB 3. 2 Gen 1, 1 X HDMI 2. 0 with HDCP Support, 1 X Mini Display Port
OS	Windows 10

Reasons to get

• Impressive performance with a high level of specification
• Top-notch to build quality with large vents to keep the machine cool
• You can control the bandwidth priority using Killer DoubleShot pro

Reasons to avoid

• Low storage Capacity

Introducing one of the best laptops for VR development and intense gaming, equipped with NVIDIA RTX 2060 and an Intel 10th Gen Core i7 processor. This Acer Helios 300 is a great option if you’re interested in starting your VR journey and looking for a high-end gaming laptop at a reasonable price.

In addition, this Acer Predator comes with the AeroBlade 3D Fan Technology that keeps your machine from overheating even under heavy workloads. As it’s been built with the VR gamer and developer in mind, it includes high-quality components to keep your VR experience as comfortable and immersive as possible.

What’s even better, this gaming machine packs a lot of performance into a relatively small package, so it’s great for people who love to game but also need to do a bit of work.

It can handle powerful video editing software without any trouble, and it has a pretty nice design, too. With 16GB RAM and a top-notch display, it should be able to handle even the latest games.

8. Dell G5 15.6” FHD Gaming Laptop

Specifications
CPU	Intel i7-10750H 10th gen
GPU	NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti
RAM (Memory)	32 GB DDR4
Clock Speed	Up to 5
No. of Processors	6
Storage	1 TB SSD
Screen Size	15.6″ Full HD, ‎1920 x 1080(max)
Weight	3.79 lbs
Dimensions (L x W x H)	10 x 14.4 x 0.85 inches
Ports	1 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x  USB 2.0, 1 x Headset jack, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB-C with DisplayPort, 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet
OS	Windows 10

Reasons to get

• 32 GB RAM for smooth performance
• Very powerful and durable machine
• Reasonable price tag

Reasons to avoid

• It doesn’t have a good battery life

Dell’s powerful laptops have earned huge popularity over the years and this Dell G5 with all its fantastic bells and whistles can be an awesome integration to your software, video, or game developing career.

It is equipped with 32 GB of RAM which makes it possible to run some really heavy applications smoothly. So, as a passionate developer, you will definitely enjoy using this powerful machine. Also, for instant bootup and rapid data transfer, it incorporates a 1 TB SSD.

There is a nice crisp and responsive feel to the keyboard. Also, you will love the interconnectivity with a variety of connectivity ports. In addition, it comes with an eye-friendly display with noticeably clear picture quality.

Overall, the build quality and speed of the system will provide developers with a great environment in which they can craft their dream apps with ease.

 9. Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop

Specifications
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
GPU	GeForce GTX 1650
RAM (Memory)	16 GB DDR4
Clock Speed	4.2 GHz
No. of Processors	6
Storage	1 TB SSD, 500 GB External HD
Screen Size	17.3″ Full HD, ‎1920 x 1080(max)
Weight	5.10 lbs
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.37 x 10.24 x 1.02 inches
Ports	1 X USB 3.2 Gen 1, 3 X USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 X USB-C 3.2 Gen 2,  1 X USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1 X HDMI 2.1, 1 X Ethernet (RJ-45); 1 X Headphone/microphone combo jack, 1x Card reader
OS	Windows 11

Reasons to get

• Big anti-glare display screen
• Large storage space
• Exceptionally robust build quality

Reasons to avoid

• The battery charge may not last as long as expected

The Lenovo Legion 5 is one of the newest laptops from Lenovo. It is designed especially for those who wish to experience the world of gaming. AMD Ryzen 5 processors and powerful graphics make it one of the best budget laptops.

Furthermore, the Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop is an excellent choice if you are a first-time buyer looking to develop VR applications. For developers, its keyboard comes with adequate size, and it has the ideal travel distance to make typing comfortable. The touchpad is also responsive, which is a plus. It also makes navigating around Windows 11 super easy.

Apart from 16 GB Ram, this incredible laptop comes with a 1 TB SSD and there is also a 500 GB external hard disk that you can use to save your files if needed. In addition, this beast has a large display that lets you view hundreds and thousands of lines of code effortlessly without missing any details.

To conclude, I would say this laptop is meant for people who want to play games or run heavy game development applications without giving a second thought to the cost.

A Guide To Choosing The Best Laptops For VR Development

VR development is not something you can do on a whim. Not only does it take extreme dedication, you also need a powerful laptop for it. So, surely it takes a determined individual to tread this path. But, what do I mean when I say a powerful laptop?

Let me inform you of it instead of merely throwing words your way. Here are the features a laptop should posses if you want to develop VR with it:

GPU

Here’s the deal. For VR development, you need a LOT of firepower, and a big chunk of it will come from the GPU. Now, you might ask why? Well, it’s because developing a VR software has the same principles as making a 3D game- there’s a lot of graphics work needed.

As such, you’ll need an engine like Unity or Unreal Engine. The reason behind this is because engines like this provide you with a lot of resources for developing VR software. And these require a lot of work from the GPU.

Although Unity could run on an integrated GPU, I doubt you’ll have a seamless experience. Having a great GPU leaves the CPU for other tasks. My suggestion is to get a laptop with RTX 2070 (or equivalent of it) at the very least.

CPU

Yes, GPU is important but you can’t ignore CPU either. Both go hand in hand. The CPU is the center of your computer and every process is powered by it. Although I can’t give you the exact number, you’re definitely better off with a 9th or 10th generation i5 (preferably i7).

When VR first launched, an i5 would have been sufficient, but the times have changed. To make your laptop a little bit futureproof, it’s best to go with Ryzen 7 or i7.

Clock speed

Clock speed is the processing power of your laptop. You definitely need it to be high. Otherwise, you’ll encounter a lot of lag as the computer will have trouble allocating resources for your activities. This is why your ideal processing speed should be up to 4.6 GHz or higher.

RAM

How good your laptop works is directly tied to your RAM. The more RAM you’ve got the more you have the better. An oculus headset requires you to have 8 GB of RAM. So I think it’s better if you can go for 12 GB or 16 GB. Luckily, 16 GB is common in gaming laptops so it shouldn’t be hard to get one.

Ports

You can’t enjoy VR without a headset that supports it. Similarly you’ll need other components too to enjoy AR(augmented reality) or MR(mixed reality) features. For example, the first generation oculus rifts would need 3 ports. Although they don’t need as many nowadays, it’s still good to have a few extra ones at hand.

Some devices need USB Type-C ports, while others require you to have USB 3.0. A DisplayPort is crucial, no matter what you get. Many gaming laptops have this option, but it’s good to verify.

Screen size

This doesn’t have a direct influence on your VR development conquests, but it’s still important. Different people have different needs regarding the screen size of a laptop. It’s best if you check out this article to find out which suits you better.

Storage

VR features take up a lot of space so I’ll advise you to go for a laptop with good storage. If you don’t know how much storage is good for your laptop, I’ll give you a safe estimate: for VR development I suggest going for a 1 TB HDD + 256 GB SSD combo at least. If your preferred laptop doesn’t have HDD, go for the highest SSD storage you can get.

Battery

VR is amazingly power hungry. You need to put your laptop on the plug all the time. No matter how good your battery backup is, it’s health will diminish over time. This is why the battery isn’t a major feature but try to see how high you can get.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

VR development is an ambitious activity and only those who are committed to go the extra mile should do it. And those are the people who don’t even think twice about the price tag when getting the best laptop for VR development. But it’s my duty to show you what the ideal investment looks like.

I hope my article helped shed some light on what you could possibly get. If I were you, I’d definitely love to get the Asus Zenbook as I could not only do VR stuff in it, but also play some highly demanding games as well as enjoy movies in great detail!