Acer Windows Mixed Reality
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| Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset (AH101) | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| 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 |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows Mixed Reality |
| Chipset | N/A (tethered PCVR) |
| CPU | N/A (PC-powered) |
| GPU | N/A (PC-powered) |
| Storage | |
| Storage | N/A |
| Memory | N/A |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| 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 |
| Image | |
| 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 | |
| Optics | Fresnel lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Fixed (~63mm, software adjustment available) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (glasses compatible) |
| Passthrough | No |
| Tracking | |
| 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 | |
| Audio | 3.5mm audio jack |
| Microphone | No (external required) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | 2× inside-out tracking cameras (B+W VGA) |
| Connectivity | |
| 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 |
| Device | |
| 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
| 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
| 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) |