Betabot: Improving page with detailed specifications, history, features, and references

2026-01-08T08:48:40Z

Improving page with detailed specifications, history, features, and references

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{{Device Infobox
|name = Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset (AH101)
|image =
|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
|Subtype = [[PC VR]]
|Platform = [[Windows Mixed Reality]]
|Creator = [[Acer]]
|Developer = [[Acer]], [[Microsoft]]
|Manufacturer = [[Acer]]
|Announcement Date = May 2017
|Release Date = October 2017
|Price = $299 (headset only), $399 (with controllers)
|Website = https://www.acer.com/
|Versions = Acer AH101-D8EY, Acer AH101-D0C0
|Requires = Windows 10 Fall Creators Update PC
|Predecessor = None
|Successor = [[Acer OJO 500]]
|Operating System = [[Windows Mixed Reality]]
|Chipset = N/A (tethered PCVR)
|CPU = N/A (PC-powered)
|GPU = N/A (PC-powered)
|HPU =
|Storage = N/A
|Memory = N/A
|SD Card Slot = No
|Display = Dual LCD
|Subpixel Layout = RGB stripe
|Peak Brightness = Not specified
|Resolution = 1440 × 1440 per eye (2880 × 1440 combined)
|Pixel Density = 706 PPI
|Refresh Rate = 90Hz (HDMI 2.0), 60Hz (HDMI 1.4)
|Persistence = Low persistence
|Field of View = 100° (up to 105°)
|Horizontal FoV = ~95°
|Vertical FoV = ~85°
|Average Pixel Density = ~15 PPD
|Peak Pixel Density = ~15 PPD
|Foveated Rendering = No
|Optics = Fresnel lenses
|Ocularity = Binocular
|IPD Range = Fixed (~63mm, software adjustment available)
|Adjustable Diopter = No (glasses compatible)
|Passthrough = No
|Tracking = 6DoF inside-out (2 cameras)
|Tracking Frequency = N/A
|Base Stations = None required
|Eye Tracking = No
|Face Tracking = No
|Hand Tracking = No
|Body Tracking = No
|Rotational Tracking = Yes
|Positional Tracking = Yes
|Update Rate = 90Hz
|Tracking Volume = Room-scale
|Play Space = Roomscale
|Latency = <20ms motion-to-photon
|Audio = 3.5mm audio jack
|Microphone = No (external required)
|3.5mm Audio Jack = Yes
|Camera = 2× inside-out tracking cameras (B+W VGA)
|Connectivity = HDMI 1.4/2.0, USB 3.0
|Ports = HDMI, USB 3.0, 3.5mm audio
|Wired Video = Yes (HDMI)
|Wireless Video = No
|WiFi = No
|Bluetooth = Bluetooth 4.0 (for controllers, from PC)
|Power = USB powered
|Battery Capacity = N/A
|Battery Life = N/A (tethered)
|Charge Time = N/A
|Dimensions = Not specified
|Weight = 350g
|Material = Plastic
|Headstrap = Adjustable head strap with flip-up visor
|Haptics = Controller haptics
|Color = Blue
|Sensors = 2× VGA tracking cameras, gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer
|Input = Windows Mixed Reality controllers (sold separately or bundled)
|Compliance = FCC, CE
}}

The '''Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset''' (model AH101) is a [[PC VR]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by [[Acer]] as part of [[Microsoft]]'s Windows Mixed Reality platform, announced in May 2017 and released in October 2017 at a price of $299 for the headset alone or $399 bundled with motion controllers. As one of the launch partners for Windows Mixed Reality alongside HP, Lenovo, Dell, and Samsung, the Acer headset offered an accessible entry point into PC VR with its 1440 × 1440 per eye resolution, inside-out tracking requiring no external sensors, and a distinctive flip-up visor design allowing users to quickly transition between VR and the real world. The lightweight 350-gram headset featured a 90Hz refresh rate (with HDMI 2.0), a ~100° field of view, and the streamlined setup process that defined the Windows Mixed Reality initiative to democratize PC VR.

== History and Development ==

=== Windows Mixed Reality Initiative ===
Microsoft platform launch:
* October 2017 consumer release
* Multiple hardware partners
* Inside-out tracking standard
* Accessible PC VR goal

=== Acer Partnership ===
Launch partner:
* First announced WMR partner
* Developer editions early 2017
* Consumer launch October 2017
* Budget positioning

=== Developer Kit Phase ===
Early access:
* $299 developer headsets
* Spring 2017 availability
* Platform testing
* Software development

=== Consumer Launch ===
October 2017:
* $299/$399 pricing
* Bundle options
* Retail availability
* Multiple regions

== Design Philosophy ==

=== Accessible PC VR ===
Democratization goal:
* Sub-$400 pricing
* No external sensors
* Simple setup
* Lower PC requirements

=== Inside-Out Tracking ===
Setup simplicity:
* No base stations
* Plug and play
* Room-scale capable
* Consumer friendly

=== Flip-Up Visor ===
Convenience feature:
* Quick real-world access
* No removal needed
* Unique design
* Practical use

== Display Technology ==

=== Dual LCD Panels ===
Standard resolution:
* '''Resolution''': 1440 × 1440 per eye
* '''Total''': 2880 × 1440
* '''Size''': 2.89" per display
* '''PPI''': 706

=== Refresh Rate ===
Connection dependent:
* 90Hz with HDMI 2.0
* 60Hz with HDMI 1.4
* Smooth at 90Hz
* Fallback available

=== Visual Quality ===
Adequate imagery:
* Decent clarity
* Some screen door
* Good for price
* Entry-level quality

== Field of View ==

=== ~100° FOV ===
Standard specification:
* Up to 105° claimed
* Adequate immersion
* Consumer typical
* Good for price point

== Optical System ==

=== Fresnel Lenses ===
Standard optics:
* Compact design
* Some god rays
* Good sweet spot
* Budget appropriate

=== Fixed IPD ===
No adjustment:
* ~63mm fixed
* Software adjustment available
* Limited accommodation
* May affect some users

== Tracking System ==

=== Inside-Out Tracking ===
Two-camera system:
* 2× B+W VGA cameras
* No external sensors
* 6DoF head tracking
* Setup simplicity

=== Tracking Quality ===
Mixed performance:
* Good head tracking
* Limited controller volume
* Front-focused
* Some blind spots

=== Room-Scale ===
Play space:
* Room-scale supported
* Boundary system
* Walk-around VR
* Standard WMR

== Controllers ==

=== Windows Mixed Reality Controllers ===
Standard WMR input:
* 6DoF tracked
* LED rings for tracking
* Bluetooth connection
* Sold separately or bundled

=== Controller Features ===
Input options:
* Touchpad
* Thumbstick
* Trigger
* Grip button
* Menu buttons

=== Controller Tracking ===
Headset-tracked:
* Visible to cameras only
* Front-facing volume
* Behind-back limited
* Standard WMR limitation

== Audio ==

=== 3.5mm Audio Jack ===
External audio:
* No built-in speakers
* Headphones required
* Standard port
* User choice

=== No Built-In Microphone ===
External required:
* Headset with mic needed
* USB microphone option
* Communication setup
* Additional equipment

== Physical Design ==

=== Flip-Up Visor ===
Unique feature:
* Visor hinges up
* Quick transition
* No removal needed
* Practical design

=== Lightweight ===
Comfortable weight:
* 350g
* Very light for PC VR
* Extended wear capable
* Good balance

=== Head Strap ===
Comfort system:
* Adjustable straps
* Rear adjustment wheel
* Forehead padding
* Standard comfort

=== Blue Color ===
Distinctive appearance:
* Blue accent
* Recognizable design
* Acer styling
* Unique look

== Cable System ==

=== 4-Meter Cable ===
Connection length:
* 13 feet total
* Adequate for room-scale
* HDMI + USB combined
* Single harness

=== Connection Requirements ===
PC ports needed:
* HDMI 1.4 or 2.0
* USB 3.0
* Bluetooth 4.0 (for controllers)
* Standard ports

== PC Requirements ==

=== Minimum Spec ===
Basic requirements:
* Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
* Intel Core i5-7200U (laptop)
* Intel HD Graphics 620 (60Hz)
* 8GB RAM

=== Ultra Spec (90Hz) ===
Higher performance:
* 6th-gen Intel Core i5 (desktop)
* 7th-gen Intel Core i5 (laptop)
* GTX 965M / RX 460
* HDMI 2.0

== Software Platform ==

=== Windows Mixed Reality Portal ===
Built-in software:
* Cliff House environment
* App launcher
* Settings management
* Integrated in Windows

=== SteamVR ===
Game compatibility:
* SteamVR for WMR
* Full library access
* VR games
* Community content

=== Microsoft Store ===
Additional content:
* WMR apps
* Experiences
* Some exclusives
* Integrated store

== Comparison with WMR Headsets ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Feature !! Acer AH101 !! Lenovo Explorer !! Samsung Odyssey
|-
| Price || $299 || $349 || $499
|-
| Resolution/eye || 1440×1440 || 1440×1440 || 1440×1600
|-
| Display || LCD || LCD || AMOLED
|-
| FOV || ~100° || 110° || 110°
|-
| Weight || 350g || 380g || 645g
|-
| Flip-Up || Yes || Yes || No
|-
| Audio || Jack only || Jack only || Built-in AKG
|}

== Strengths and Limitations ==

=== Strengths ===
* Very affordable ($299-$399)
* Lightweight (350g)
* Flip-up visor design
* No external sensors
* Easy setup
* Good entry point

=== Limitations ===
* Fixed IPD
* Only 2 tracking cameras
* No built-in audio
* Limited controller tracking
* Basic build quality
* Dated specifications

== Legacy ==

=== WMR Launch Partner ===
Platform contribution:
* Early WMR support
* Budget option
* Market presence
* Accessibility focus

=== Accessible PC VR ===
Market impact:
* Price point breakthrough
* Simplified setup
* Consumer awareness
* VR democratization

== Technical Specifications Summary ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Specification !! Details
|-
| Display || Dual LCD, 1440 × 1440 per eye
|-
| Total Resolution || 2880 × 1440
|-
| Refresh Rate || 90Hz (HDMI 2.0) / 60Hz (HDMI 1.4)
|-
| FOV || ~100°
|-
| Tracking || Inside-out (2 cameras)
|-
| IPD || Fixed (~63mm)
|-
| Audio || 3.5mm jack only
|-
| Weight || 350g
|-
| Connection || HDMI + USB 3.0
|-
| Price || $299 (headset) / $399 (bundle)
|}

== See Also ==
* [[Acer]]
* [[Windows Mixed Reality]]
* [[Lenovo Explorer]]
* [[HP Windows Mixed Reality]]
* [[Dell Visor]]
* [[Samsung Odyssey]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:VR Headsets]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:PC VR]]
[[Category:Windows Mixed Reality]]
[[Category:Acer]]
[[Category:2010s VR]]

Acer Windows Mixed Reality - Revision history

Betabot: Improving page with detailed specifications, history, features, and references