MSI announces WT72 6QN VR Ready mobile workstations

MSI has published full specifications for its WT72 6QN laptop, a bulky pro-grade device it is targeting very specifically at developers looking for a mobile virtual reality setup.

The first mobile workstation - the usual term for a laptop which is too big and heavy to comfortably tote around for long and with a battery life measured in minutes - to enjoy Nvidia's VR Ready certification, the MSI WT72 6QN features the buyer's choice of three specification levels: an 'entry-level' model with Intel Core i7-6700HQ processor and 32GB of RAM; a 'mid-range' model with Intel Core i7-6920HQ processor and 32GB of RAM; or the top-end model with an Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 processor and a whopping 64GB of ECC RAM. Buyers will also be given a choice of display, with the 17.3" panel being available in 1,920 x 1,080 resolution on the entry-level model or 3,840x2,160 resolution for the two higher-grade devices.

Each model comes equipped with Nvidia's pro-level Quadro M5500 graphics processor, packing 2,048 CUDA cores, 8GB of dedicated VRAM, and a claimed performance increase of up to 35 per cent compared to previous-generation mobile Quadro parts - enough, MSI and Nvidia claim, to meet the demands of an HTC Vive or Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. All laptop specifications come with integrated Blu-ray writer, six USB 3.0 ports, a single Thunderbolt 3 port, a Killer Gaming Network E2400 network interface module, and an SD card reader, along with a 256GB SSD and 1TB spinning-rust drive installed internally.

Naturally, these workstations do not come cheap: MSI has set a US suggested retail price of $5,499 to $6,899 depending on specification chosen (around £3,870 to £4,856 excluding taxes.)