Pursuits
Why Virtual Reality’s Early Adopters Are Getting Discounted Computers
Oculus’s virtual reality revolution requires as many people to have headsets as possible, so the company is willing to forgo profits from hardware sales.
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When Facebook Inc. began taking preorders for its much-anticipated Oculus Rift virtual-reality headset, the $600 price tag was higher than many people expected. Now the company is offering a steep discount on the even pricier piece of hardware people will need for virtual reality: the PCs needed to run VR games.
Facebook said on Tuesday that it will start taking preorders for discounted Oculus-PC bundles. Some high-powered gaming computers from Asus and Dell (and Dell-owned Alienware) will be sold for as much as $200 less than their normal price when purchased with an Oculus Rift.