Apple’s Vision Pro gave VR and XR experiences extended time in the spotlight recently. However, it looks like Finnish company, Varjo, is about to steal that spotlight with its new headset – the XR-4. Varjo is banking on VR and XR experiences that are indistinguishable from real life with the XR-4.
While the Apple Vision Pro can work independently, the Varjo XR-4 must be connected to a fast-paced PC. The new XR-4 comes with controllers that were co-designed with Razer. It also doesn’t need any external VR base units for full-motion 6DoF, also known as six degrees of freedom tracking. The XR-4 has excellent specs, like a wider field of view (FOV) of 120 degrees horizontally and 105 degrees vertically. It also comes with LiDAR sensors that allow it to track and map more accurately. Varjo itself promises 8x clarity for better object and hand scanning in VR and a more accurate mixing of real-world and virtual reality images.
Varjo’s XR-4 moves further into AR and VR with a multifocal passthrough camera and higher headset resolution. The setup essentially blurs the lines between mixed reality and real life.
The Varjo XR-4 has a pixel quality of about 4K per eye and a pixel density of 51 pixels per degree. The display panel is a Mini-LED panel with a peak brightness of 200 nits. The cameras’ better dual 20-megapixel image sensors make the XR-4 even more powerful. Varjo’s Focal Edition, which includes gaze-directed autofocus cameras, is for people who want an even more advanced experience. This feature, controlled by the headset’s built-in eye tracking, makes the experience more immersive by letting you focus on real-world items and adding virtual ones on top of them.
Pricing & Availability
There are four variants of the XR-4. The first is the standard XR-4, which costs $3,990, and the Focal Edition, which costs $9,990.
Then there is the XR-4 Secure Edition, which has two variants: fixed-focused, which costs €7,990, and autofocus, which costs €13,990.
It can now be ordered via their official site only for companies and businesses, or join their waitlist to buy it individually and will only be shipped starting December.
You know Alienware as one of the first brands to cater its brand and hardware. Unlike Razer, Alienware delved into the PC gaming market by creating the most powerful PCs in its early days specifically for gaming purposes. This was back when games did not even look half as good as it is today. This was back when 3D graphics was still a blocky mess.
Back then as well, gaming peripherals were not really gaming peripherals at all. They were redressed regular mice, keyboards, and speakers for ‘gaming’ that has no real advantage or difference over regular peripherals. It is a very different story today.
Gaming peripherals are not just a more expensive version and RGB dressed regular peripherals. In 2023, they are purpose built gear to enhance both a gamer’s experience and performance in their chosen games. To think about it, while other manufacturers like ASUS ROG has been pushing their peripherals for a bit, Alienware has been silent about new gaming peripherals, until now that is.
Alienware Wireless Gaming Mouse (AW620M)
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
To start with, you want a reliable gaming mouse. Something that is ergonomic that fits perfectly in the palm of your hands. You want it to be an extension of your arms and you want it to feel like it is a part of your limb, for it to be as light as possible.
The new AW620M gaming mouse is Alienware’s latest wireless symmetrical gaming mouse. This is not made for the left-handers, unfortunately. It is made specifically to be wielded by right-handers. It is oddly shaped to ensure that your right palm gets the best grip possible with the mouse without feeling as much as a strain. The right mouse button is also slightly longer than the left mouse button to accommodate the naturally longer middle finger. The mouse also features a thumb rest below the two extra buttons on the side.
The new gaming mouse packs Alienware’s sensor technology below their magnetic-force keyplates. What that means is you get Alienware precision and speeds with every click of the buttons. It is highly accurate and flexible to work with too at 26,000 DPI, 650 IPS, and 50G max acceleration capabilities. While the best way to work the mouse is with a wired connection with your PC, the 2.4GHz wireless dongle offers 1000Hz polling rate for a near lag-free experience for up to 140 hours on a single charge.
Alienware Wireless Gaming Keyboard (AW920K)
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Source: Dell
Once you settle in on a gaming mouse, you want your keyboard to also match your set up and speed. You want a gaming keyboard that can also work wirelessly to keep that clean look on your desk. You also want your keyboard all-in-one keyboard for not just gaming. You want a single keyboard to be the control center of your entire desk set-up. This one does just that.
Alienware’s first wireless gaming keyboard is a mechanical keyboard with CHERRY MX Red switches for fast and fluid strokes and near instant presses. Working the switches are Alienware’s PBT double-shot keycaps that are beautiful and durable. Of course, underneath the switches are per-key AlienFX RGB lighting that shines through the keycaps’ letters. There is also a new Programmable Rocker Switch right beside a programmable dial as well to control media. You can program them via Alienware’s new Command Center.
You can use it with a USB paracord cable included in the box. You can also turn it wireless with a 2.4GHz dongle and work with it for 42 hours in that mode. You can also make it your Bluetooth 5.2 keyboard for up to three devices with a simple switch at the back of the keyboard. There is also a Tenkeyless (TKL) variant (AW420K) of the wireless keyboard if that is what you prefer to work with.
Once you deal with your controls, you now want something that will sharpen and hone your senses. You need absolute focus and immersion when it comes to getting your senses tuned. You want a gaming headset that pulls you into the game world. You want an Alienware AW720H wireless gaming headset.
The AW720H Wireless Gaming Headset packs a powerful 40mm driver with hi-res certification and Dolby Atmos tuning for the most immersive experience you can get in a headphone. It offers 3D virtual surround sound for that all-important environmental awareness in your games. Attached to the headphone is an AI equipped noise-cancelling boom microphone for your communication needs. The mic reduces ambient sound in your physical environment to ensure that your speeches are extra crisp and clear even during an intense battle. If your teammates cannot hear you, you might want to get them to buy this pair of headphones too.
It comes with a 2.4GHz USB Type-C dongle to be plugged into your PC or your smartphone if you want. It will last up to 30 hours in wireless mode. If you prefer a wired connection, there is still the 3.5mm AUX jack. Or, you can go for the wired variant (AW520H) of the headset. There is no gesture control nonsense here either. There is a quick-access button array on either side of the ear cups to quickly control your headphones without exiting your games.
Price and Availability
Alienware’s latest Tenkeyless Gaming Keyboard AW420K is now available on their website at MYR 719. The new wireless gaming headset AW720H and wireless gaming mouse AW620M will be available by the end of March 2023 for MYR 679 and 369 respectively. You can choose between Alienware’s signature White or black colour option for the headset. The wired variant of the headset (AW520H) and the full-sized wireless gaming keyboard AW920K will be available in Q2 2023 onward with no price revealed. For more information on Alienware’s latest gaming peripherals, you can head to their website.
