Acer AH101
More actions
| Acer AH101 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | PC VR |
| Platform | PC, Windows Mixed Reality |
| Creator | Acer |
| Manufacturer | Acer |
| Announcement Date | 1 March 2017 (Developer Edition, by Microsoft); 4 October 2017 (AH101 consumer pre-orders, United States) |
| Release Date | 17 October 2017 (United States) |
| Price | US$399.99 MSRP with two motion controllers (launch, United States) |
| Website | https://www.acer.com |
| Versions | Windows Mixed Reality Headset Developer Edition (headset only, US$299); AH101 consumer bundle with motion controllers |
| Requires | Windows Mixed Reality-ready PC with Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, HDMI and USB 3.0 ports, and Bluetooth 4.0 for the controllers |
| Successor | Acer OJO 500 |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows Mixed Reality on the host PC (Windows 10 Fall Creators Update or later; not supported on Windows 11 version 24H2 and later) |
| Display | |
| Display | 2 x 2.89-inch LCD |
| Resolution | 1440 x 1440 per eye (2880 x 1440 combined) |
| Pixel Density | 706 ppi |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz (HDMI 2.0) / 60 Hz (HDMI 1.4) |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 95 degrees (Acer); about 100 degrees in reviews |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Two 50 mm round Fresnel lenses |
| IPD Range | Lenses fixed at 63 mm; software IPD calibration with an 8 mm range |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (inside-out) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | 3.5 mm headphone jack (no built-in speakers) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | Two black-and-white tracking cameras |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | HDMI 1.4/2.0, USB 3.0 |
| Ports | HDMI, USB 3.0, 3.5mm audio |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | 195.8 mm wide, 73.9 mm tall, 109 mm deep (Tom's Hardware measurement) |
| Weight | 1.34 lb (Acer); 446 g as measured by Tom's Hardware |
| Headstrap | Rigid adjustable band with rear dial and flip-up visor |
| Color | Blue |
| Sensors | Gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, proximity sensor |
| Input | WMR Controllers (6DoF) |
| Cable Length | 13 feet (4 meters), not detachable |
The Acer AH101 (also known as Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset) is a virtual reality head-mounted display developed by Acer for the Windows Mixed Reality platform. Released in 2017 as one of the first Windows Mixed Reality headsets, the AH101 has dual 2.89-inch LCD displays with 1440 x 1440 resolution per eye, 6DoF inside-out tracking without external sensors, and a field of view that Acer lists as 95 degrees and reviewers described as about 100 degrees. The headset launched in the United States bundled with two motion controllers at an MSRP of US$399.99.[1][2]
Microsoft began shipping a developer edition of the headset, built in partnership with Acer, to developers in March 2017.[3] The consumer AH101 was scheduled to ship in the United States on 17 October 2017, the day Microsoft announced that Windows Mixed Reality headsets were available, with Acer's bundle priced at US$399.99.[2][4] Microsoft removed Windows Mixed Reality from Windows 11 version 24H2 in October 2024, so the headset only works on older Windows versions.[5]
History and development
Windows Mixed Reality launch partner
Acer was among the first manufacturers to launch a Windows Mixed Reality headset in 2017, alongside HP, Lenovo, Dell, and Samsung.[4] Samsung announced its HMD Odyssey on 3 October 2017.[4] At its Windows 10 event on 26 October 2016, Microsoft said that "HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Dell and Acer will ship the first VR headsets capable of mixed reality through the Creators Update", with the devices due in 2017.[6] The headsets used inside-out tracking with cameras on the headset, a system Microsoft adapted from its HoloLens augmented reality headset.[7]
Developer Edition
On 1 March 2017, Alex Kipman announced that Microsoft would "begin to ship developer edition headsets created in partnership with Acer" that month. Game developers who attended Microsoft's session at the Game Developers Conference received priority access, and other developers could apply through the ID@Xbox and Windows Mixed Reality programs. Microsoft listed two 1440 x 1440 displays, a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz, built-in audio and microphone support through a 3.5 mm jack, and a single cable carrying HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.0.[3]
On 11 May 2017, Microsoft opened pre-orders for the Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset Developer Edition at US$299 to developers in the United States and Canada through the Microsoft Store. Its published specifications included a 95-degree horizontal field of view, a native refresh rate of up to 90 Hz and a 4.0 meter cable.[8] Road to VR reported that delivery was scheduled for August 2017, that the developer pre-order did not include controllers, and that Acer planned a bundle with motion controllers for about $399 around the holiday season.[9] Acer's support documentation covers two model numbers for its Windows Mixed Reality headset, AH100 and AH101.[10]
Consumer release
In August 2017, Microsoft said headset and motion controller bundles would start at $399 and that Steam content would also run on Windows Mixed Reality headsets.[11] On 4 October 2017, Acer America opened pre-orders for the Acer Windows Mixed Reality AH101 in the United States. The headset came in blue, cost US$399.99 (MSRP) with two wireless motion controllers and a limited one-year parts and labor warranty, and was scheduled to ship on 17 October 2017. It required a PC running the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.[2] Microsoft updated its announcement on 17 October 2017 to say that Windows Mixed Reality headsets were available that day.[4] Tom's Hardware found a voucher for a free copy of Ghostbusters VR in the retail box.[12]
Accessible entry point
The AH101 provided an affordable entry into VR with built-in tracking and bundled controllers; Expert Reviews described the Windows Mixed Reality headsets as "dirt-cheap" with low hardware requirements.[13] Tom's Hardware wrote that when Acer announced its pricing, the headset "seemed like it'd be the most affordable option out there", but that Oculus cut the price of the Oculus Rift with Touch controllers to $400 days before the AH101 shipped, removing Acer's price advantage.[14] In the United Kingdom, Expert Reviews reviewed the headset at £400 including VAT.[13]
Successor
Acer's next Windows Mixed Reality headset was the Acer OJO 500, announced at IFA in Berlin on 29 August 2018. Acer described it as the first Windows Mixed Reality headset with a detachable design, patented built-in sound pipe technology and software-assisted interpupillary distance adjustment.[15]
Design and hardware
Display system
Acer lists two front-hinged 2.89-inch liquid crystal displays with a combined resolution of 2880 x 1440 (1440 x 1440 per eye), a 95-degree field of view and a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz.[2] Display Daily reported a pixel density of 706 ppi.[16] The refresh rate depends on the PC: Microsoft's guidelines set 90 Hz for "Windows Mixed Reality Ultra" PCs connected over HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2, and 60 Hz for lower-tier PCs using HDMI 1.4.[17][18] Road to VR described the field of view as about 100 degrees, and Tom's Guide also gave 100 degrees.[1][19]
According to Tom's Hardware, the headset has two 50 mm round Fresnel lenses mounted at a fixed 63 mm interpupillary distance. There is no mechanical IPD adjustment; Acer instead relies on software IPD calibration with an 8 mm adjustment range.[12] Road to VR described the lenses as Fresnel with "medium grit ridges", between those of the Rift and the HTC Vive, and warned of god ray artifacts in high-contrast scenes.[1] A proximity sensor turns the displays on when it detects the wearer's head.[12]
Headset and strap
The AH101 uses a rigid, mechanical head strap similar to that of the PlayStation VR, with padded sections for the forehead and the back of the head and a blue dial at the rear for adjusting the fit. The front of the headset is attached by a hinge and flips up, so the wearer can look at the real world without taking the headset off.[12] Acer's announcement promoted this flip-up visor for answering the phone or talking to someone nearby.[2] The face cushion is removable.[20]
Acer gives the weight as 1.34 lb.[2] Tom's Hardware weighed its unit at 446 grams with the non-detachable cable attached, compared with 470 grams for the Oculus Rift without its cable and 563 grams for the HTC Vive with its standard strap. It measured the body at 195.8 mm wide, 73.9 mm tall and 109 mm deep.[12]
Acer's quick-start guide, as summarized by Tom's Hardware, states that the headset "should not be used by children under 13" because it cannot accommodate their narrower IPDs, and lists an operating temperature range of 0 to 35 degrees Celsius.[20]
Cable
The headset has a 13-foot (4 meter) cable. The single tether ends in an HDMI connector for video and a USB 3.0 connector for data.[2][8] The cable cannot be detached from the headset, so Tom's Hardware noted that a damaged cable means sending the whole headset back to Acer for repair.[14]
Internal components
A teardown published by Printed Circuit Design & Fab in January 2018 identified an STMicroelectronics ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller, a Lattice LIF-MD6000 FPGA, a Cypress CYUSB3064 MIPI CSI-2 to USB bridge controller, a Cypress CYUSB3304 USB 3.0 hub, a Realtek ALC4040 audio chip, Analogix SlimPort HDMI-to-DisplayPort converter and DisplayPort receiver chips, and Winbond 8 Mbit serial flash memory. It also described two "fish-eye sensors" on the front of the device for inside-out tracking and an integrated gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer.[21]
Tracking
Inside-out tracking
The AH101 has six degrees of freedom (6DoF) positional tracking. Two black-and-white cameras on the front of the headset track its position in the room, so no external sensors or base stations are needed.[12][2] The headset also contains a gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer.[21] Tom's Hardware noted that the tracking cameras do not provide pass-through video, so the headset cannot be used for augmented reality experiences.[12]
Environment sensing
Built-in sensors capture environmental information for tracking and navigation. During setup, the Windows Mixed Reality software offers seated, standing and room-scale modes. For room-scale use, the wearer carries the headset around the play area to trace a boundary; Microsoft indicated a minimum space of 5 x 7 feet.[22]
Audio
3.5mm audio jack for headphones (no built-in speakers). Road to VR noted that the headset has no integrated headphones or microphone, and that the tether routing point above the right ear can get in the way of bulky headphones.[1] Voice commands through Cortana require a wired headset connected to the headset's audio jack, because Windows Mixed Reality did not support Bluetooth headsets.[22]
Controllers
Windows Mixed Reality controllers
The AH101 bundle includes two wireless motion controllers that connect over Bluetooth. Acer lists a Windows button, touchpad, grab button and "constellation lights" on each one.[2] Tom's Hardware reported that Acer used Microsoft's reference controller design, with a thumbstick, trackpad, trigger, grip button, menu button and Windows button. Each controller runs on two AA batteries and has a tracking ring with 18 white LEDs that the headset cameras follow; built-in IMU and magnetic sensors keep the controllers tracked when they leave the cameras' view.[23] The PC needs Bluetooth 4.0 for the controllers. Tom's Hardware pointed out that the headset has no built-in Bluetooth radio, so it had to add a USB Bluetooth 4.0 receiver to its test PC.[24]
System requirements
Microsoft's 2017 PC guidelines
At launch, Microsoft defined two PC tiers for Windows Mixed Reality. The basic tier ran headsets at 60 Hz, and "Windows Mixed Reality Ultra" PCs ran them at 90 frames per second. Both required the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.[18][17]
| Component | Windows Mixed Reality (60 Hz) | Windows Mixed Reality Ultra (90 Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 Fall Creators Update | Windows 10 Fall Creators Update |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 7200U (7th generation mobile), dual core with Hyper-Threading, or better | Intel Core i5 4590 (4th generation desktop), quad core, or better; AMD Ryzen 5 1400 (desktop), quad core, or better |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 620 or greater DX12-capable integrated GPU; Nvidia MX150 or Nvidia 965M discrete GPU | Nvidia GTX 960/1050 or greater, or AMD RX 460/560 or greater, DX12-capable discrete GPU |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR3 dual channel | 8 GB DDR3 or better |
| Video | HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2 | HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 |
| USB | USB 3.0 Type-A or Type-C | USB 3.0 Type-A or Type-C |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 (for controllers) | Bluetooth 4.0 (for controllers) |
Source: Microsoft Support, "Windows Mixed Reality PC hardware guidelines" (2017).[18]
Tom's Hardware added that playing SteamVR games called for at least a GeForce GTX 1070 or Radeon RX Vega 56, and that SteamVR for Windows Mixed Reality was still in early access when it reviewed the headset in January 2018.[24]
Connectivity
- HDMI 1.4 or 2.0
- USB 3.0
- 3.5mm audio jack
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 2 x 2.89" LCD[2] |
| Resolution | 1440 x 1440 per eye[2] |
| Pixel Density | 706 PPI[16] |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz (HDMI 2.0); 60 Hz (HDMI 1.4)[18] |
| Field of View | 95 degrees (Acer); about 100 degrees (Road to VR)[2][1] |
| Lenses | Two 50 mm Fresnel lenses, fixed 63 mm spacing[12] |
| Tracking | 6DoF inside-out[2] |
| Sensors | Gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, proximity sensor[21][12] |
| Cable Length | 13 feet (4m)[2] |
| Weight | 1.34 lb (Acer); 446 g (Tom's Hardware measurement)[2][12] |
| Controllers | Included (6DoF WMR)[2] |
| Price | US$399.99 MSRP with two motion controllers (United States launch)[2] |
Reception
Reviews in 2017 and 2018 praised the easy setup, inside-out tracking, sharp display and flip-up visor, and criticized the build quality, the controllers and the small software library.
Road to VR's Ben Lang wrote that setup "is truly a breeze" and that "Microsoft's inside-out head tracking is top-notch". He found "a notable increase in sharpness" over the Rift and Vive, although the screen door effect was still visible and quick head movements showed LCD ghosting. He called the flip-up visor "a huge plus", but said the foam around his nose made the headset uncomfortable after a few minutes and that the controllers were "fairly large and unbalanced". He concluded that the headset "doesn't manage to break into 'next-gen' territory, but instead feels like reasonable competition to what's come before".[1]
Tom's Guide gave the AH101 three out of five stars. Its review praised the plug-and-play setup and the lightweight design but criticized the small selection of apps and some tracking issues.[19] Digital Trends scored it 5 out of 10, summarizing that "The first Windows Mixed Reality headset can't fulfill its promise", and listed the high-resolution display, easy setup and inside-out tracking as positives and comfort, game selection, price and "unintuitive controllers" as negatives.[25] Expert Reviews gave it four out of five stars and its Recommended badge, calling it "a decent first effort", noting that the headsets were cheap and had low hardware requirements, "but the caveat is that there's nothing useful you can do with them just yet".[13]
In its January 2018 review, Tom's Hardware said the headset was light, "comfortable enough for moderate use" and produced a crisp image, and described the inside-out tracking as "spot-on" when the controllers were in view. It raised concerns about the durability of the visor hinge and the controllers, and did not recommend the AH101 over the Oculus Rift at the same price.[14]
Current status
In December 2023, Microsoft announced that Windows Mixed Reality was deprecated and would be removed in Windows 11 version 24H2. That update, released on 1 October 2024, removed support for all Windows Mixed Reality headsets, including Acer's. Road to VR reported that users who stayed on Windows 11 version 23H2 could keep using SteamVR content through November 2026, after which Windows Mixed Reality would receive no further security updates, bug fixes or technical support.[5] Microsoft's archived documentation states that Windows Mixed Reality support is limited to Windows 10 version 20H2 through Windows 11 version 23H2.[17]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Ben Lang (2017-10-19). "Acer Windows Mixed Reality VR Headset Review". Road to VR. Road to VR. https://www.roadtovr.com/acer-windows-mixed-reality-vr-headset-review-ah101/. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 "Acer's Windows Mixed Reality Headset and Motion Controllers Available for Pre-Order by Consumers in the United States". Acer Newsroom. Acer. 2017-10-04. https://news.acer.com/acers-windows-mixed-reality-headset-and-motion-controllers-available-for-pre-order-by-consumers-in-the-united-states. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Alex Kipman (2017-03-01). "Windows Mixed Reality dev kits shipping this month". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft. https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/03/01/windows-mixed-reality-dev-kits-shipping-month/. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Elana Pidgeon (2017-10-03). "Windows Mixed Reality headsets available today". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft. https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/10/03/how-to-pre-order-your-windows-mixed-reality-headset/. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Scott Hayden (2024-10-02). "Windows 11 No Longer Supports Microsoft's Windows VR Headsets Following October Update". Road to VR. https://www.roadtovr.com/windows-11-drops-wmr-support-24h2/. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ Mollie Ruiz-Hopper (2016-10-26). "Ten things we announced today at Microsoft's Windows 10 Event". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft. https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/10/26/ten-things-we-announced-today-at-microsofts-windows-10-event/. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ Kevin Carbotte (2018-01-29). "Acer Windows Mixed Reality HMD Review". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/acer-windows-mixed-reality-hmd-review,5357.html. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Windows Apps Team (2017-05-11). "Windows Mixed Reality Dev Kits available for pre-order". Windows Developer Blog. Microsoft. https://blogs.windows.com/windowsdeveloper/2017/05/11/windows-mixed-reality-dev-kits-available-pre-order/. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ Shawn Whiting (2017-05-11). "Acer & HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset Dev Kits Now Available for Pre-order Starting at $300". Road to VR. https://www.roadtovr.com/acer-and-hp-windows-holographic-mixed-reality-vr-dev-kits-now-available-for-purchase-starting-at-300/. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ "Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset Setup Instructions". Acer Community. Acer. https://community.acer.com/en/kb/articles/10119-acer-windows-mixed-reality-headset-setup-instructions. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ Alex Kipman (2017-08-28). "Windows Mixed Reality holiday update". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft. https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/08/28/windows-mixed-reality-holiday-update/. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 Kevin Carbotte (2018-01-29). "The Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/acer-windows-mixed-reality-hmd-review,5357-2.html. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Nathan Spendelow (2017-12-12). "Acer Windows Mixed Reality headset review: Ushering in a cheaper VR future". Expert Reviews. https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/technology/gaming/acer-windows-mixed-reality-headset-review-ushering-in-a-cheaper-vr-future. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Kevin Carbotte (2018-01-29). "Conclusion - Acer Windows Mixed Reality HMD Review". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/acer-windows-mixed-reality-hmd-review,5357-9.html. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ "Acer Introduces the Acer OJO 500 Windows Mixed Reality Headset". Acer Newsroom. Acer. 2018-08-29. https://news.acer.com/acer-introduces-the-acer-ojo-500-windows-mixed-reality-headset. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Arthur Berman (2017-12-21). "The Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset". Display Daily. https://displaydaily.com/the-acer-windows-mixed-reality-headset/. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Minimum PC hardware guidelines - Enthusiast Guide". Microsoft Learn. Microsoft. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/mixed-reality/enthusiast-guide/windows-mixed-reality-minimum-pc-hardware-compatibility-guidelines. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 "Windows Mixed Reality PC hardware guidelines". Microsoft Support. Microsoft. https://web.archive.org/web/20171101145515/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4039260/windows-10-mixed-reality-pc-hardware-guidelines/. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Sherri L. Smith (2017-10-20). "Acer Mixed Reality Headset Review: It's Empty in Here". Tom's Guide. https://www.tomsguide.com/us/acer-mixed-reality-headset,review-4774.html. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Kevin Carbotte (2018-01-29). "Health, Safety & Maintenance - Acer Windows Mixed Reality HMD Review". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/acer-windows-mixed-reality-hmd-review,5357-6.html. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Mike Buetow (2018-01-24). "Acer AH101 Mixed Reality VR Headset". Printed Circuit Design & Fab. https://www.pcdandf.com/pcdesign/index.php/editorial/menu-features/12391-teardowns-1802. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Kevin Carbotte (2018-01-29). "A Simple Setup Process - Acer Windows Mixed Reality HMD Review". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/acer-windows-mixed-reality-hmd-review,5357-7.html. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ Kevin Carbotte (2018-01-29). "The Acer Mixed Reality Motion Controllers". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/acer-windows-mixed-reality-hmd-review,5357-3.html. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Kevin Carbotte (2018-01-29). "Acer Windows Mixed Reality HMD System Requirements". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/acer-windows-mixed-reality-hmd-review,5357-4.html. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ Jaina Grey (2017-11-09). "Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset review". Digital Trends. https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/acer-windows-mixed-reality-headset-review/. Retrieved 2026-09-28.