HP’s Backpack PC Lets You Take Immersive Virtual Reality Gaming On-The-Go

Forget that Teenage Mutant Turtle backpack you begged for when you were eight. HP’s recently launched Omen X gaming line will soon include a PC that is also a backpack. It is designed so that the user can walk around in virtual reality unhindered by wires.
HP stated that its will start releasing demo units in about a month. The new PC will have an  Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, up to 32GB of memory, and supposedly weighs under ten pounds. A waist belt will have two batteries that power the CPU and graphics card separately. The batteries only last about an hour, however, you can swap them out for new ones. A smaller third battery stops the PC from shutting down during the swap. There is also a wireless display, mouse, and keyboard, although there is no word yet on what graphics card will be used.

It is important to note that there is still a tethered connection from the headset to the PC, but you still have free range of motion given that the computer is strapped to your back. It is unknown when this PC backpack will be available for the everyday consumer or how much it will cost. HP will solicit product requests from ISVs and developers. Those who receive demos will be part of a program in which they will receive a hardware development kit so that they might work with HP to develop the future of the product. HP’s announcement follows the recent VR PC backpack trend. Zotac teased in April that it will release a backpack Zbox miniature computers. There are currently few specs on this PC. MSI announced its PC backpack yesterday. It will have a Core i7 processor and a GeForce GTX 980 graphics card.

Will you be adding on a PC backpack for your VR headset? Let us know in the comments below.