To find the ideal solutions, you first look to the actual headsets. The HTC Vive and Oculus Rift require specific hardware components to run at a decent rate, as anything lower could produce a poor, vomit-inducing experience. We’re not kidding either, as virtual reality needs to sustain a rate of 90 frames per second else you could suffer from motion sickness. That said, you need to take the minimum requirements seriously.

Our list focuses on laptops with discrete graphics chips – not integrated graphics – and a port complement that can support headset connections. Thickness, weight, screen size, and resolution really aren’t a deciding factor unless you plan to pack up your VR setup and move it to a friend’s house, or you simply want to enjoy high-definition games headset-free. Our laptops range in weight and thickness, which grows in size as the hardware specifications grow closer to desktop-like performance.

This version of MSI’s Stealth laptop comes with GeForce RTX 2060 graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. Add in the 9th-gen Intel Core i7 processor with overclocking up to 4.1GHz, and you have a machine that’s absolutely ready for your VR headset. The 15.6-inch HD display comes with a 144Hz refresh rate, too.

MSI improved the cooling functions on this model to help prevent any overheating issues — it’s very impressive just how much can be packed into such a slim laptop. The battery is rated for 8 hours, but again, this can vary considerably. Ports include Thunderbolt 2 and USB-A connections.

The updated version of Razer’s 15-inch laptop has all the power you need for VR with an 8-core, 10th-gen Intel processor and GeForce RTX 2080 discrete graphics. It also has a killer 4K OLED display that’s perfect for buyers who don’t want to compromise an inch. Rounding out this excellent gaming machine is 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity along with HDMI and USB-A ports.

The downside to all this power and the great display is short battery life. You’ll want to make sure it’s plugged in before you start any VR gaming sessions. Even more, gaming laptops running strictly on a battery typically throttle performance to reduce the power draw and heat, so your RTX 2080 won’t perform as expected until you plug the power supply back in.

Acer provides three versions of its VR-ready laptop. All three consist of ninth-generation Intel Core processors and Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1660 discrete graphics chip. Resolutions span from 1,920 x 1,080 to 3,840 x 2,160, depending on the model, along with 16GB or 32GB of system memory. Unfortunately, you can’t configure these laptops to your specific needs.

As for the other ingredients, storage options include a 256GB or 512GB SSD for the operating system, and an additional 1TB hard drive for storage (and your overflow of installed games). The laptop actually sports four integrated speakers along with an SD card slot, an Ethernet port, an HDMI port, four USB-A 3.1 Gen1 ports, one USB-C 3.1 Gen1 port, and a DisplayPort connector. That said, you have a plethora of ports for connecting your VR headset, and then some.

Acer’s laptop is relatively heavy. It’s still no desktop, but could feel a little cumbersome if you want to take your VR experiences outside the home. Acer’s laptop relies on a 6,000 mAh promising up to three hours on a single charge, and an external 330-watt power supply. Acer mentions Wireless AC connectivity, but no Bluetooth (possibly included).