In the fall of 2016, Microsoft revealed its plans to bring the Windows operating system into the immersive technology age: Not only would Windows be a platform that supports VR and AR environments; it would become a VR and AR environment. Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality platform is the foundation for the company’s immersive computing aspirations. But an immersive computing platform isn’t worth much without hardware to complement it, and Microsoft turned to a handful of partners to bring the hardware to market while it works on the software side.

Six hardware partners adopted the Windows Mixed Reality (MR) platform, including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. We’ve already looked at the Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset, the Lenovo Explorer HMD, and the Samsung Odyssey HMD. Now we have Asus’ Windows Mixed Reality Headset on our test bench. And while we don't want to give it all way up front, it would be easy to recommend--if not for its current asking price of $429. With competing WMR devices now often priced below $300, and the original HTC Vive now priced at $500, Asus' headset is stuck in an awkward middle spot.