Acer AH101
| Acer AH101 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-Mounted Display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | Windows Mixed Reality, SteamVR |
| Developer | Acer |
| Manufacturer | Acer |
| Release Date | 2017 |
| Price | $399 USD (with controllers) |
| Website | https://www.acer.com/ |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | LCD (dual) |
| Resolution | 1440x1440 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz (60 Hz on integrated graphics) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 100° |
| Optics | |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (inside-out, 2 cameras) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | 3.5mm jack |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | HDMI 2.0/1.4, USB 3.0 |
| Device | |
| Weight | 170g (6 oz) |
| Sensors | Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Magnetometer |
| Cable Length | 13 feet |
The Acer AH101 Headset (AH101) is a PC virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Acer, released in 2017 at $399 (with controllers). One of the first Windows Mixed Reality headsets, the AH101 features dual 1440x1440 LCD displays, 100° field of view, 90 Hz refresh rate (60 Hz on integrated graphics), inside-out 6DoF tracking without external sensors, flip-up visor, ultra-lightweight 170g design, and easy Windows 10 native setup. An affordable and accessible entry to PC VR.
History and Development
Acer launched the AH101 in 2017 as part of Microsoft's Windows Mixed Reality initiative. As a longtime Microsoft partner, Acer was among the first to release a WMR headset. The lightweight design and competitive pricing made it popular among first-time VR users, though limited content at launch was a concern. The headset works with SteamVR for expanded content library.[1]
Design and Hardware
Display
Higher resolution than competitors:
- 1440x1440 per eye resolution
- 2880x1440 combined
- Dual 2.9-inch LCD panels
- 90 Hz refresh rate (discrete GPU)
- 60 Hz refresh rate (integrated GPU)
- 100° field of view
- Improved sharpness over Rift/Vive
- Reduced screen-door effect
Tracking
Inside-out system:
- 6DoF tracking
- Inside-out tracking
- 2 B+W VGA cameras
- Gyroscope
- Accelerometer
- Magnetometer
- No external sensors
- 6DoF controllers included
Flip-Up Visor
- Flip-up design
- Large hinge mechanism
- Snaps up satisfyingly
- Quick reality access
Build
Ultra-lightweight design:
- 170g weight (6 oz)
- Much lighter than Rift/Vive
- 7.3 x 1.4-4.7 x 1 inches
- Compact design
- Comfortable fit
Cable
- 13 feet cable length
- HDMI connector
- USB 3.0 connector
- Y-cable design
Controllers
WMR motion controllers:
- 6DoF tracking
- Tracked by headset
- Two controllers included
- Standard WMR design
Audio
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- No integrated headphones
- No integrated microphone
- External audio required
Connectivity
- HDMI 2.0 (90 Hz) or HDMI 1.4 (60 Hz)
- USB 3.0
PC Requirements
Minimum
- CPU: Intel Core i5 / AMD FX 8350
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 965M / AMD RX 460M (discrete for 90 Hz)
- RAM: 8 GB
- OS: Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 1440x1440 LCD x2 |
| Combined | 2880x1440 |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz / 60 Hz |
| FOV | 100° |
| Tracking | Inside-out (2 cameras) |
| Cable | 13 feet |
| Weight | 170g |
| Interface | HDMI + USB 3.0 |
| Price | $399 |
Reception
Praise:
- $399 affordable with controllers
- 170g ultra-lightweight
- Easy Windows 10 setup
- No external sensors
- 1440x1440 better than Rift/Vive
- Flip-up visor useful
- 13 feet cable long
- SteamVR compatible
- Reduced screen-door effect
- Quick installation
Criticism:
- 100° FOV narrower than competitors
- Limited app selection at launch
- Tracking issues reported
- No integrated audio
- No microphone
- Controller tracking limitations
- Front-only tracking volume
- 60Hz on integrated graphics
- LCD vs OLED contrast
- WMR platform fragmentation[2]