MSI Readies a "Backpack" Portable Gaming PC for VR

[btarunr]

Get this - a portable gaming PC that's battery-powered, to which you plug in your VR headset, strap around your arms like a backpack, and walk around in an open space. MSI is tinkering with that concept, with its new untitled backpack gaming PC. The PC will be powered by cutting-edge desktop-grade Core i7 processors and GeForce GTX 980 graphics (likely GTX 1080M when it comes out?). It lets you plug in your VR gear with minimal cable clutter, and walk around without being confined to a static gaming PC. The company will detail this product further at its 2016 Computex booth.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Caring1]

So it's like a laptop, but bigger?

 

[Chaitanya]

So it's like a laptop, but bigger?

Basically a Mini-ITX based PC stuck to back. I think there are couple of cases that can fit in a backpack, so anyone with a pair of scissors and sewing skills should be able to build their own VR Ready backpack PC.

 

[Oplarhigos]

People are gonna get ran over in the streets, i guarantee it.

 

[Caring1]

People are gonna get ran over in the streets, i guarantee it.

Shouldn't be any different than the dumbarses walking around with their face stuck in a phone.

 

[RCoon]

Catch is you need a car battery to power it.

 

[erixx]

Catch is you need a car battery to power it.

^^ This is an issue.

It reminds me the radio-men of WWII....

 

[RCoon]

^^ This is an issue.

It reminds me the radio-men of WWII....

Or these guys

 

[ViperXTR]

VR porn becoming more viable exercise material ( more so if you include that car battery lel)

 

[Eiswolf93]

Some Years ago this was the portable solution

Thanks MSI the future is here!

 

[silentbogo]

So now you don't have to trip over wires! All you have to worry about is bumping into your surroundings and other people!

Here's an old cutout from PopMech.

 

[Frick]

I like the basic concept actually.

 

[trog100]

Catch is you need a car battery to power it.

a good lipo pack (electric bike style) should power it okay.. he he..

trog

 

[john_]

I think Zotac started this trend. Well in the case of MSI's product, I think it looks in my eyes as much ridiculous as the Zotac one.

 

[MIRTAZAPINE]

Catch is you need a car battery to power it.

This can work too. if you do not trip over the wires.

 

[Octavean]

They are working on a wireless solution so there should be no need to strap a PC (portable or ITX) to your back:

 

[GhostRyder]

Ok, we are getting ever closer to being immersed into our games all the way around...

Now we just need something to hold us in place, let us walk and jump without moving from one spot, and a system that reads our every movement. (Yes I am aware of that E3 device).

 

[ZoneDymo]

This can work too. if you do not trip over the wires.

View attachment 74944

Well we need massive induction charging anyway with cars, might as well develop it for this thing as well

 

[Slizzo]

Not a terrible concept, but it's just a terrible way to go about it.

Why not look into trying to get wireless HDMI to happen with little lag?

 

[crsh1976]

This possibly wins this week's most ridiculous idea prize; why not power it with a battery and gasoline tank while we're at it, add some wheels and it's almost a vehicle too!

 

[SaltyFish]

Power issues aside, imagine tripping and falling backwards with that thing on...

The other problem I see with this is the massive amounts of heat. VR gaming currently requires a powerful heat-spewing setup. Having a quad-SLI GTX 980 Ti setup at full load on your back probably won't feel comfortable after a few minutes.

 

[neliz]

 

[rtwjunkie]

So it's like a laptop, but bigger?

It's a "BackTop"