LAS VEGAS, Jan 9 — For those intrigued by 2016’s coming wave of virtual reality headsets but wondering how to get the most out of them, Alienware has unveiled its “Oculus-ready” X51 gaming computer during CES 2016.

The Oculus Ready PC Programme was first presented back in September 2015, when Dell label Alienware was named as one of its programme partners.

Assembling a computer from separate parts can be as simple as snapping a Lego kit together, and this year’s first round of consumer-grade virtual reality visors still has one foot very firmly in the enthusiast camp.

Still, Alienware is one of the companies happy to provide an alternative to the varying anxieties of building a monster gaming PC.

That’s become something of a specialty for the Miami firm, which last year provided a US$599 (RM 2649) entry to Valve’s certified Steam Machine lineup, a range aimed at those looking for a more streamlined PC gaming experience.

Here, the estimated cost of meeting minimum specifications set forth by Oculus VR has tended to hover around the US$1,000 mark and so, for the sum of US$1,199, Alienware offers elementary access to the world of PC-based virtual reality.

Available to order immediately, the Alienware X1 R3 packs an Intel Core i5-6400 chip, an Nvidia GTX 970 graphics card, a 1TB hard drive, and 8GB of memory. Windows 10 is included in the price.

Alienware’s standard computer mouse and keyboard are available at no extra cost, but as of writing must be specifically selected from within Dell’s online order form, while high performance peripherals start at US$80 each; the manufacturer’s monitor options are available from US$389.

Oculus VR announced a US$599 retail price for the first generation of its consumer-grade Oculus Rift virtual reality headset on January 6.

The price was greater than a US$399 entry point that many had expected, an increase credited to corresponding improvements in the quality of component parts.

PlayStation CEO Andrew House, who is to launch a PlayStation VR headset later in the year, has been quoted as predicting a launch price equivalent to a “new console platform” for the PlayStation 4’s virtual reality setup, resulting in similar expectations of US$399 or slightly above. Meanwhile, Valve and HTC have partnered to produce the HTC Vive which, with a pre-release emphasis on premium quality, is anticipated to exceed the price point of the Rift, while requiring a similarly powerful PC. — AFP-Relaxnews