What you need to know
- HP's new VR Backpack is set for release this summer for $3,300.
- The wearable powerhouse PC is built for job training, creative workflows, and more.
- Hot-swappable batteries mean you can keep going cord-free for as long as you like or docked when you're ready to sit back down.
HP isn't new to portable VR rigs; its Omen X VR Desktop Backpack first saw daylight in 2017. However, the company is targeting a different audience with its newest entry, simply dubbed the HP VR Backpack.
The HP VR Backpack is aimed squarely at creatives and work scenarios like job training, VR development, and more. The PC, which packs plenty of power, can be strapped into a backpack so the user can freely move around without being tethered to a stationary desktop. Powering everything is a pair of hot-swappable batteries, potentially allowing you to keep roaming freely if you have enough charged and ready to go.
Once you're done moving around, the PC can be removed from the backpack mount and docked into a dedicated station. The goal is to give developers the freedom to create at their desks and then quickly move to backpack mode to test their creations out.
Inside the HP VR Backpack, you'll find an Intel Core i7-8850H processor, 32GB of RAM, up to 1TB of SSD storage, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics. A bevy of ports is also included here, including two USB 3.0 ports, one Thunderbolt-enabled USB-C port, an HMD power port, and a headphone-microphone combo port. Additional USB ports and an ethernet jack are included on the dock as well.
The VR Backpack also comes alongside new entries in HP's ZBook and Z desktop series workstation lineups. The new ZBook 15 G6 and ZBook 17 G6 have been upgraded with NVIDIA Quadro RTX graphics and Intel's 9th Gen processors. The Z towers, meanwhile, have new entry-level models, along with a new HP Z2 Tower that sports "two times the graphics power" and up to 41 percent more processing power, HP says.
The HP VR Backpack is expected to launch this summer starting at $3,300. The new ZBooks and Z desktops are expected to launch throughout July and August with pricing to be revealed later.
Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC
Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.
KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)
Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.
AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)
These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.
Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)
Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.
