Acer AH101
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.
| 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 |
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]