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VR is a big trend, again. Recent advances in VR development prove that mass-market VR is near. Experts say 2020 might actually be the time of virtual reality's breakout. Also, it seems like self-isolation has something to do with it.
In spring 2020, the COVID-19 quarantine forced the whole world into a lockdown. Like a dip in ice-cold water, it hurt. But it also helped us rethink the routine of work and the tools we use to connect with each other. The new reality of social distancing caused a huge spike in video conferencing, content streaming, gaming, and…VR? If you think about it, VR might be a great way to think outside the Zoom box. Instead of seeing your friends' or colleagues' faces in small squares on a screen, you could actually get everyone into one room.
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- VR Headsets don't really support the Mac much right now Feeding into the false narrative that most Mac users aren't gamers, there isn't a lot of great VR support for macOS. Windows Mixed Reality only supports Windows, Oculus Rift started to support the Mac years ago and then abruptly stopped, and it's taken a long time for things to change.
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Apparently, VR manufacturers and tech companies got the gist. On September 16, at their annual Connect event, Facebook announced the long-anticipated Oculus Quest 2. It’s a flagship VR headset uniting all of the Oculus VR hardware owned by Facebook. Rumor has it Apple is working on something in the domain of virtual reality, too.
In fact, lots of cool VR tech has been available for some time now. Whether you’re an avid VR believer or simply enjoy gaming, let's make sure you use the best tools available. In this article, we'll explore VR on Mac — from choosing the best VR headset to making your computer VR-ready.
How to set up VR on Mac
Up until the release of macOS High Sierra, virtual reality has been, well, a non-existent reality for Mac users. Apple computers have not been technologically equipped to support VR, just as any advanced video editing programs. But times have changed, and there's been huge progress VR-wise over the last three years.
source: GadgetFlow
So what does it take to create the best VR setup for Mac? Apart from a good VR headset, three things:
Powerful graphics card. If your Mac is 2015 and younger, you already have a solid internal graphics card. Recent Macs that come with Radeon Pro 555 or 560 and iMacs with Radeon Pro 570-580 are pretty powerful. Still, even your high-end Mac's graphics card is not enough for gaming. This is why it's recommended you get an external card as well.
External graphics card. The only major requirement is it should be compatible with High Sierra or later — so make sure you check it before buying.
eGPU Enclosures. It's where you plug an external graphics card — a must-have if your Mac is older than 2015. To get eGPU work with Mac, make sure you upgrade macOS to High Sierra or later. Plus, your Mac should have a Thunderbolt 3 Port or an adapter for older Macs without Thunderbolt 3. Apple's registered devs can purchase a native toolkit (eGPU + Radeon graphics card + Thunderbolt 3 adapter). But you can also get it all separately. More info on eGPU compatibility and graphics cards here.
Bottom line: If your Mac isn't older than 2015 + you get a good external graphics card and an eGPU enclosure, you're good to go.
Best VR headset 2020 working on Mac
Last piece of the puzzle, VR headset that's compatible with Mac. I would love to give you a huge list of options — but the truth is you can really use only one. HTC Vive is the only VR headset officially working on Mac. Poor tech specifications in macOS are the main reason why large VR manufacturers are primarily focused on PCs. This makes HTC Vive VR the only sustainable option. It's also the best VR headset for Steam, according to PCMag review, which is awesome news for gamers. Well, it WAS awesome news.
source: PC Gamer
Until recently, SteamVR has been the only VR system Mac users could use for gaming, along with HTC Vive headset — but it seems like they are dropping support for macOS soon. So the future of HTC Vive games is pretty fuzzy.
HTC Vive versus HTC Vive Pro
If you consider getting a headset for Mac, there are two HTC Vive models you choose from — the basic one and Pro. The improved version was released in 2018 as an upgrade to the original HTC Vive. But is it really worth it? Let’s point out the main enhancements you’ll find in HTC Vive Pro:
Dual-lens setup. An extra lens has been added to enable new tracking capabilities. Unlike the original model, HTC Vive Pro can track hand gestures.
Built-in headphones. No need to add your own pair of headphones to have an immersive VR experience, the Pro version has it.
Upgraded resolution. 1440 x 1600 pixels per eye versus 1080 x 1200 in HTC Vive.
Clearly, the newer version has some top-notch design and resolution perks — but note that it’s also considerably more expensive. The HTC Vive price is $719 on Amazon. It covers the full VR system, including the headset, controllers, base stations, and cables. The pro version will cost you $1199 for the full kit or $599 if you want to buy the headset only.
Are there HTC Vive alternatives for Mac?
Not really. Some users say you can make Oculus Rift work with Mac, which is another top-rated VR system. Technically, some recent MacBook Pro and iMac models seem to have the right specs, but the GPU performance is still no good for VR. Plus, Facebook recently announced they are retiring Rift S next year. This leaves you with HTC Vive VR headset for Mac, and a bit of hope Apple will produce an alternative, maybe.
Is it possible to use Facebook’s Oculus Quest 2 with Mac?
The newest Oculus Quest 2 headsets that will start shipping on October 13 are not officially compatible with macOS. However, it’s still a widely held opinion that Oculus Quest works with high-performing Macs. To make it work, you can run Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp — which many users say will work perfectly fine with Mac Pros that have solid video cards.
If your Mac has the required specs, you can try and use Oculus Quest 2 with a Mac. It has some major performance improvements compared to the older version. Please note it’s the first Oculus product that requires Facebook authorization via an account. The price of Facebook’s brand new VR headset starts from $299.
Are there HTC Vive alternatives for Mac?
Not really. Some users say you can make Oculus Rift work with Mac, which is another top-rated VR system. Technically, some recent MacBook Pro and iMac models seem to have the right specs, but the GPU performance is still no good for VR. Plus, the creators of Oculus Rift say they don’t intend to focus on macOS support for now. This leaves you with HTC Vive VR headset for Mac, and a bit of hope Apple will produce an alternative, maybe.
Apple VR headset: Is there hope?
Over the last couple of years, Apple has been very active interacting with AR/VR companies and acquiring related startups. The rumor has been around for some time, the company is working on its own Apple VR headset utilizing new processing chips — the so-called T288 project. Expected release: later this year. Again, Apple made no official announcements about this, but the community is hopeful.
Very possibly, we might even expect more than a native headset. On April 30, 2020, Valve announced they are dropping support for Macs. This is no surprise with only 4% of gamers using macOS. Plus, Valve has repeatedly mentioned even the latest MacBook Pros failed to meet SteamVR specification requirements. At the time of writing this post, there’s been no official response on Apple’s side. And many users assume this might mean only one thing — the company is going to release its native full-fledged VR very soon. So let’s stay tuned!
How to optimize your Mac for VR
All things considered, Macs and VR are not the best match — at least for now. This doesn’t mean you should give up on your favorite Apple computer only because it’s not the best choice for HTC Vive games. In fact, there are some great ways to bring these two closer together. By optimizing Mac’s performance for greater speed and low graphics card requirements, you definitely add some power. Think of it as biohacking for Mac gaming. No worries, we’re not gonna break anything.
Before diving into hacks, make sure you have a suitable hardware setup. Apart from Steam VR headset for gaming, you’ll also need two base stations for tracking the headset’s position and orientation, as well as a pair of Vive controllers. If you want a wireless VR headset, you’ll also need an adopter. The best choice would be to get the HTC Vive full kit instead of buying the headset separately.
Ready to roll? Let’s make the most out of your Mac’s performance.
1. Free up space on Mac
Headset For Mac
Steam games are heavy — too heavy for an average hard drive. This means your Mac’s storage has to be prepared. You can go through your folders and clear away all the clutter and stuff you don’t really need. Two reasons why it’s not the best idea: 1) Some tricky file leftovers and old caches will remain undetectable; 2) You’ll literally spend hours on every thorough cleanup. Good news is you can avoid the pain with CleanMyMac X, the best Mac cleaner out there. The app will run a smart scan on your computer, inspecting every corner for hidden junk. Next thing you know — it’s all gone.
My personal favorite is CleanMyMac’s Uninstaller. The problem with naughty apps is they often leave traces on your Mac — lots of associated files that you can’t delete simply by moving the app into the Trash folder. In Uninstaller, you press a single button to free up every gigabyte you possibly can. Plus, you can bulk uninstall apps to speed up the process.
2. Ensure perfect streaming quality
A good play takes one very basic condition. Top-notch streaming quality — which totally relies on your network connection. WiFi Explorer is a Mac utility that makes sure you don’t have to worry about it. The app works as a smart network analyzer that controls your WiFi while you stay focused on your work — or Steam games. The best thing is WiFi Explorer not only provides insights on the state of your network connection, it also helps troubleshoot it. That’s right, you can fix WiFi problems without any professional skills, simply by using WiFi Explorer’s built-in toolkit.
3. Keep your iStat Menus on the pulse
On your Mac’s pulse, to be accurate. iStat Menus is number three wonderful utility for VR fans, and pretty much anybody who wants to keep their Mac strong and fast. Working from the menu bar, iStat Menus monitors every aspect of Mac’s performance. From basic indicators like CPU load and battery life to the most advanced ones, including airflow and frames per second. With iStat Menus, you get to see disk usage and disk activity, which helps trace the real-time impact of certain processes on your Mac. It’s a perfect tool to make sure your Mac won’t get stuck or freeze while you’re playing.
All three apps mentioned here are available with a free 7-day trial on Setapp. So you’re getting the entire strategic toolkit for Mac gaming in one installation. Nice bonus, 180+ best apps you can use for other jobs on Mac will arrive with Setapp, too. Hope these tips will make your virtual reality for Mac a better reality. Just make sure you don’t move there for good, we need you here.
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
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Mac Compatible Headsets With Microphone
Shopping for an Apple compatible wired or wireless headset with built-in mic for Mac Skype, FaceTime, Apple Dictation, Videoconferencing or Gaming?For Mac - iPad - iPhone
Currently you'll find three types of wired Apple compatible headset hardware: All-Digital USB headsets with a simple USB cable that's instantly recognized by OSX in Sound Preferences Pane. There are Analog headsets that also include a USB Audio Adapter Dongle that converts the audio and microphone signal to a single USB connection for Mac use. Apple users could also opt for newer TRRS 4-Pole Analog headsets that use a single plug like the iPhone, iPad and newer Mac's use.
Apple Compatible USB Headsets With Mic
| Business USB Headset | Best-Selling Headset |
|---|---|
| Lightweight Stereo Ideal For Business | Logitech's Newest Model On-Ear Volume and Mute |
Analog Mic Headsets For Mac : 4-Pole
More recently, Apple standardized on a single 4-Conductor 1/8th inch plug for earbuds and headsets with integrated microphones. This occured both on desktop Macintosh and MacBook laptops - along with iPads and iPhones. The PC and cell-phone world saw the appeal of this and many manufacturers are now delivering Apple compatible TRRS 4-Pole headsets with mic that use a single 4-pole plug that work the same with either Mac's or PC's.For Mac - iPad - iPhone
Many older Macs used 'Microphone Level' rather than 'Line Level' input voltages in their audio jacks. The standard 1/8th inch plug looked the same, but many PC analog headsets with microphones with 2 separate plugs, one for it's built-in mic simply did not work on a Macintosh. They failed to deliver adequate volatge to the audio in port for the microphone to produce an audible level of sound. Mono and stereo headsets compatible with Mac have been a bit problematic historically. For a long time Apple used different line voltage standards for 1/8' plug microphones that fractured the Analog headset market into those that were PC compatible and others that were Mac compatible. As such, USB headsets for Mac became a far wiser headset choice for assured Mac compatibility.
USB-C Digital Headsets For New Macs
A new generation of all-digital Mac compatible USB-C headsets with mic can use the Type-C USB 3.1 / Thunderbolt 3 ports on newer MacBook Pro and Air laptops, as well as the latest iMac and Mac mini desktop computers.Type-C or 4-Pole TRRS Connection
Headset For Mac And Iphone
Shop carefully if you want a Type-C connector; there's still a million rectangular Type-A USB mic headsets out there. However, you can use them on a newer Mac with the addition of a USB-A to USB-C adapter or hub if needed. Apple compatible USB-C earbud style headphones with inline mic are easier to find because so many new smartphones are also adopting the Type-C USB-C interface for audio and charging.Wireless Headsets For Mac
For cordless freedom, some may prefer an Apple compatible wireless Bluetooth headset with mic. You can roam a bit while in use, though headset recharging will still need to be done via USB periodically.Headset For Macbook Pro
2-Device Bluetooth Pairing Support
Headset For Mac Features To Look For
When shopping for a headset to compliment your Macintosh computer setup, consider the varied uses and OSX applications you'll likely use. For iTunes music enjoyment, ponder headsets with larger 30mm to 50mm driver elements to reproduce deep bass frequencies most music lovers and gamers prefer. For Apple Dictation needs, some may prefer a lightweight Mac mic headset design that can be worn for extended periods. Some small business and VOIP users might actualy prefer a single-ear monophonic headset so that they can more easily interact with a conventional desk phone or converse easily with coworkers.Notification - Apple and the Apple logo, Mac, MacBook Air, Mac mini or iMac, MacBook Pro, OSX and and any others are a registered trademark of Apple Inc. in the US and other countries. Other computing accessory, peripheral, upgrade, add-on and gizmo and gadget mfrs, brands and product names which may be mentioned at this web site are registered trademarks of each related technology corporate entity.