Oculus Rift release date: Alienware, Asus, and Dell spearhead bundled packages with virtual reality headset

Oculus RiftReuters

The Oculus Rift is slated to come out this April, but everyone has probably heard that these devices can only function well with personal computers (PCs) carrying the proper specs.

Oculus has saved everyone the trouble of figuring out what PCs are best used with the upcoming virtual reality headset — Alienware, Asus, and Dell.

The PC brands will be the first ones to deliver the Oculus-ready PCs in the market this coming April, high-end gaming PCs that will be bundled with the Oculus Rift.

Pre-orders already started last Feb. 16 from leading online retailer sites like Best Buy, Amazon, and Microsoft, with items to be delivered once April comes around.

The bundled deal should save gamers the trouble of figuring out what PCs are best used with the said virtual reality headset, with these PCs expected to carry specs and features that will satisfy and exceed the minimum requirements set forth to enjoy smooth virtual reality gaming.

Of the three brands, Asus offers the cheapest one in the lot. The Asus G11CD will rely on an Intel Core i5-6400 processor which will be supported by 8 GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1 TB hard drive, and a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 card.

Headsets are expected to start shipping by Mar. 28, although it remains to be seen when the actual device will be spotted on retail shops. For those who opted not to pre-order it, retail purchases may only start by June, seeing how the stocks are allegedly pretty low.

For those thinking about making your pre-orders, the Oculus Rift is currently priced at about $599. That excludes tax and shipping fees, so expect the price to be bumped up a bit.

There is skepticism on the pricing for the Oculus Rift, and it has yet to be known if the pre-order price is the same or will be higher.

For the ones apprehensive about such, the best thing to do is perhaps hold back and wait for the price to simmer down at some point. Using it slightly delayed may not be ideal, but if the price is too steep, such is seen a better recourse than shelling out big bucks.