Back at Computex 2016, MSI unveiled the world’s first VR-focused Backpack PC, which is a gaming PC designed into a backpack-shaped case. We now learn that it was merely a concept device, and the official product coming to consumers will be called the MSI VR One, and it looks a lot better than what we saw at Computex.
The body of the MSI VR One is a work of art: where the Backpack PC opted for a red metal plate, the VR One has a design reminiscent of body armour, with two batteries fitted on either side of the bottom. These batteries are hot-swappable as well, allowing gamers to extend the 1.5 hour battery life of the VR One.
Down the middle is the power button, and beneath that are some LED lights that act as battery indicators for each battery pack.
Inside, MSI has replaced the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 GPU from the Backpack PC with a Pascal-based GeForce 1070 GPU alongside an Intel Core i7 processor. As a VR-optimised machine, the range of ports available on the VR One is extensive: 1x HDMI, 1x mini DisplayPort, and 1x Thunderbolt 3 USB Type C port for display output, while four USB 3.0 ports and dedicated headphone and microphone jacks round up the I/O list.
The cooling system in the MSI VR One comprises of two 9cm cooling fans with a total of 9 heat pipes. MSI claims that the cooling system will maintain system noise below 41dBA, well below uncomfortable levels.
Perhaps the best part of the VR One is the fact that it is both thinner and lighter than the Backpack PC: it weighs only 3.6kg with both batteries fitted, and 2.2kg without them. That’s lighter than plenty of gaming laptops in the market today.
The MSI VR One is set to be officially unveiled at the Tokyo Games Show (TGS) this week. Pricing details will likely be revealed there, but MSI Malaysia has some good news for VR gaming enthusiasts: the MSI VR One PC will be coming to Malaysia in December 2016.
