PC VR vs Standalone VR

"Which headset do I need?" is a frequently asked question in VR-land. But answering this question is not as straightforward as you might think. Are you planning to use the VR-bril for playing VR-games, or do you intend to use it in group settings to watch 360-degree videos, for instance? Additionally, whether you have a PC or not, and whether cables are desirable or not, are crucial factors to consider when choosing the right VR-bril.

A standalone VR-bril is a headset that operates without being connected to a computer. This makes the VR-bril very user-friendly, as it is not tethered by a cable to a PC. However, the disadvantage of a standalone VR-bril is that, generally speaking, the graphical power in the headset is limited, and the VR-content is restricted to the mobile VR-brillen. Consequently, there are certain games or applications you can only run on a PC-gestuurde VR-bril, and not on a standalone VR-bril.

Within standalone VR-brillen, there is a distinction in the degrees of freedom (DOF). The relatively simple VR-brillen, like the Oculus Go and Pico G2 4K, offer 3 DOF. This means you can only move the VR-bril and controllers up and down or left and right. With a 3 DOF-bril, you can't physically walk around in a space, but only look around. For viewing a 360-graden video, this is typically not an issue, as you are not physically moving. However, if you wish to walk through a simulation physically, it would be better to opt for a 6 DOF-headset, such as the Oculus Quest or Pico Neo 2.

A PC VR-bril is connected to a computer, as the name suggests. The advantage of a PC VR-bril is that it utilises the graphical power of your computer (as opposed to the graphical power within the headset, as in standalone VR). This allows graphically demanding applications to be rendered much more beautifully and smoothly. And since developers focus more on creating PC-applicaties, there are significantly more VR-games and other applications available on the computer (for instance, via SteamVR).

A PC VR-bril also comes with its downsides. You always need to have the headset wired to a computer (and sometimes to a power source) except for the HTC Vive Pro with a Vive wireless adapter. Therefore, you will always feel a cable running above your headset. Additionally, there is the practical aspect of the computer itself. Besides the fact that the computer must be “VR-ready” (thereby making it pricier), it also needs to be close to the place where you want to play. If you have your own designated gaming space, this is usually not an issue, but if you travel a lot or must frequently move your set-up, it can be inconvenient.