When Microsoft launched Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headsets in 2017 HP was one of the select partners to build a device, following that up in 2018 with a professional edition. Today, HP has announced its latest head-mounted display (HMD), the HP Reverb, with updated features and separate versions for consumers and enterprise customers.
The new virtual reality (VR) headset improves upon its predecessor in a number of ways, most notably upping the resolution from 1440×1440 to 2160 x 2160 per eye. The field of view (FoV) is also slightly wider at 114-degrees. Comfort has also been improved thanks to a light-weight design coming in at 1.1 pounds, even with integrated audio now built in.
Just like HP’s previous headset, the new HP Reverb still includes the same inside-out tracking the WMR HMDs are known for and Bluetooth to connect the wireless controllers. The main difference between the Pro Edition and Consumer Edition is what you get in the box:
HP Reverb Pro Edition
- 3.5m headset cable for desktop and mobile PCs, .6m headset cable for HP Z VR Backpack wearable VR PC (sold separately), 2 motion controllers, cleanable face cushion, 1 DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort adapter. The Pro Edition has a 1-year limited commercial warranty.
HP Reverb Consumer Edition
- 3.5m headset cable for desktop and mobile PCs,2 motion controllers, 1 DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort adapter. The Consumer Edition includes a 1-year limited consumer warranty.
“As the commercial VR segment is expected to grow to $34 billion by 2022, customers are seeking lifelike VR viewing to help open doors to new business opportunities in product design, training, and engineering,” said Spike Huang, vice president and global lead of VR, HP Inc. in a statement. “The time for commercial VR is now and adding HP Reverb to our broader virtual reality portfolio is an important step in addressing this growing market.”
“With more than 2,500 VR experiences available and counting, Windows Mixed Reality continues to serve as the home for cutting-edge innovations that are fundamentally changing the way we work and play,” said Alex Kipman, Technical Fellow, Microsoft. “The HP Reverb headset is an amazing example of the type of innovation we are seeing take place as we push forward and bring the next era of computing – the era of mixed reality – to the masses.”
The HP Reverb VR headset is scheduled to launch in April, with the Pro Edition retailing for $649 USD and the consumer edition retailing for $599. As further updates on HP Reverb are released, VRFocus will keep you updated.