Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2020 April 5

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April 5

What features should I keep in mind when buying a new iMac, for best use of an Oculus Rift?

I am going to buy a desktop iMac soon. I haven't quite made up my mind on which specs but I am definitely also buying an Oculus Rift, and I want it to work great. With that in mind:

Are there any minimums in processor/gigahertz/memory, etc., I should keep in mind when choosing the model to buy?

Are there any add-ons I should keep in mind (for example, a special graphics card; added ports that aren't default; types of connection/wires I might need), that I should consider to make it function great?

Lastly, since I am asking the above questions from a place of rather deep computing ignorance, do you have any recommendations given the tenor of the above questions, that I didn't specifically ask (i.e. didn't know to ask)?

Thanks!--100.2.221.47 (talk) 22:58, 5 April 2020 (UTC)

According to [1] and also the site for the Rift-S, it requires a PC with Windows 10. It does not mention Mac support anywhere that I could see, RudolfRed (talk) 03:40, 6 April 2020 (UTC)

Since you'll want some heavy duty components to run that, you'd save a ton of money by building a Windows computer anyway. 89.172.105.142 (talk) 16:07, 6 April 2020 (UTC)

You haven't said what you intend to do with your Rift. If you're planning on doing some kind of professional visualisation (such as architectural or engineering design work), then you should check the system requirements for the specific application you're planning on running. But if you're thinking about VR games, I think you may want to reconsider choosing a Mac altogether. Gaming on OS-X isn't really in great shape (we're in the weird position that gaming on Linux is probably the better option). In particular, are the VR games you'd plan on playing even available on Mac? As far as I can see, the popular ones (like Half Life Alyx, Beatsaber, Tetris Effect, Superhot VR, Skyrim VR, Boneworks, and Bridge Crew) don't appear to be available for OS-X VR. -- Finlay McWalter··–·Talk 19:03, 8 April 2020 (UTC)