HTC Vive Pro review – in pictures
Hardcore VR fans are finally getting the high-end hardware they've been dreaming of
What is it?
Thanks to its extravagant price (the starter pack, which includes the required controllers and base stations, costs a staggering £1048) and the need for a super-specced computer, HTC’s Vive Pro is certainly not for casual VR dabblers. But if you’re one of those people who gobbles up graphics cards like collectables, does the Pro’s resolution boost and handful of ergonomic improvements offer enough to justify the extra investment?
Design: Blue in the face
The Pro is more than a Vive with a lick of blue paint. The redesigned strap is better at balancing its weight evenly, with a sizing dial that makes fine adjustments much easier. The new built-in headphones flip out of the way when you don’t need them, plus they support spatial audio, which is essential for VR gaming. Buttons on the left ear cup make the volume a doddle to adjust too. Those two googly eyes on the front are actually cameras that’ll be used for augmented reality. Or they will be when developers get round to supporting them.
Setup: Crossed wires
While the Pro’s new streamlined cable is less likely to tangle than the original’s, it’s still annoying. There’s a wireless adapter on the way but it’s unlikely to come cheap. The new link box doesn’t have an HDMI port, meaning your PC will require a DisplayPort 1.2 or newer, but any PC powerful enough to support the Pro should have one. How powerful is that? Even more than the original Vive required. You’ll ideally need at least a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card and a processor-equivalent to an Intel Core i5-4590.
Image quality: Pixel power
Nobody’s going to upgrade to a Pro just because it’s more comfortable to wear – it’s all about the upgraded visuals. You now get 1440×1600 pixels for each eye, barely an inch in front of your face. When playing Valve’s The Lab the boost wasn’t mind-blowingly obvious, but stick on Thumper and the difference in sharpness is clear, with more intensity to the colours too. Doom VFR’s demons also look far more imposing thanks to the added detail and improved contrast. Basically, getting the best out of it depends on what games you play, but those with the most to unlock will benefit hugely. The Pro really is a huge step up.
Verdict
While the Vive Pro isn’t for everyone, what it offers the hardcore crowd is a real step up from the original headset, with the built-in headphones and improved comfort fixing its major flaws. It’s expensive and the number of games that get the best out of the Pro is somewhat lacking, but in terms of hardware, the Vive Pro is undoubtedly the best virtual reality headset you can buy. Stuff says: ★★★★
