The HP Windows MR headset isn’t a bad one, but it’s also not a great one. It has some good features, but the negative ones far outnumber the positive ones. As a result, the headset has received an extremely low market rating.

Lacks good features and software

The HP Windows MR headset is similar to other Windows MR headsets that have been tested in that it lacks good features and software. It also has an extremely low market rating, which makes users hesitant to make a purchase. The product designers did a number of things correctly, including moisture-proof cushions and a removable tether cable. However, the negative features outweigh the positives, lowering the headset’s overall value. Unless you find a killer deal on the HP Windows MR headset, you might be better off with one of the alternatives. The controllers necessitate the use of a Bluetooth dongle, which is not included.

Permanently-fixed cushions

The cushions on the adjustable head strap have a moisture-proof, easy-to-clean cover. However, because the cushions are permanently attached to the head strap, they cannot be replaced when they wear out. The face cushion is made of soft foam that is not moisture-proof. It is Velcro attached to the visor and replaceable. Unlike other headsets, such as the Lenovo Explorer, HP’s headset lacks a rubber gasket to help the device adapt to your face’s contours. The cushion is attached to the hard-plastic visor directly.

Bring Your Own Headphones & Mic

HP’s Windows MR headset does not include built-in headphones, so you’ll need to bring your own if you want to fully immerse yourself in the headset. This is not uncommon for VR headsets, particularly Windows Mixed Reality headsets.

High Resolution, Average Field of View

The dual 1440 x 1440 LCD panels in HP’s Windows MR headset produce a crisp, clear image. Several Windows MR devices, including headsets from Lenovo, Asus, and Acer, use the same display panels. The feared screen door effect is visible with these displays, but it’s almost unnoticeable unless you look for it. LCD displays are poor at producing deep blacks, causing the image to appear washed out in dark scenes. The FOV (field of view) isn’t all that bad. It’s slightly less than the Vive, but it’s still a good deal. The lenses, however, are not adjustable. It may work well for some people, but it is still risky. Also, as a result of the “folding up,” the headset tends to move away from your face, lowering your FOV slightly.

Easy Setup

The HP Windows MR headset is simple to set up and much faster than the Vive. Simply it in, and Windows (10) will install the software automatically, which is the most time-consuming part of the setup.

SteamVR Support

SteamVR software can be used with a Windows Mixed Reality headset, but it’s cumbersome and unreliable. Install SteamVR for Windows Mixed Reality through Steam, then launch the Windows Mixed Reality portal. After that, you must manually launch the SteamVR software that you want to use in Steam, at which point the Cliff House will vanish and the SteamVR software will load. This works in theory, but when running SteamVR games, it is possible to experience multiple crashes and hangs