Microsoft thinks they have a answer to vr.

The first thing to know about windows mixed reality is that as of now it only offers virtual reality experiences, the name mixed reality is misleading; It should be compared to Headsets like the HTC vive and the oculus rift, in fact windows M.R. Isn't a headset, it's a platform for headsets. Even though M.R. Is very new there is already a good few manufacturers that have started building windows M.R. Headsets. I will focus more on what they have in common then there differences. Most of the headsets feature flip up displays enabling you to jump in and out over vr very quickly and easily, this is great if you are a developer who needs easy access to a terminal or if you are trying to find your mountain dew. Windows mixed reality headsets Will work with room-scale experiences like the HTC vive however depending on the M.R. Headset you pick you might need to buy a bundle that includes motion controls. unlike the vive or a rift in a configuration that allows for you to play room-scale games windows mixed reality headsets do not require any external cameras or sensors to figure out where you and your motion controllers are in a room, so how do they do it. Windows M.R. Headsets have two cameras in the front of the headset, these are used for what they call inside out tracking. This means that you don't need to run cables all around your room and do not need to do nearly as much setup all you need to plug into your PC is one HDMI cable and a single USB port, then setup only take a few steps however if your PC does not have Bluetooth you will need a dongle so that you can connect the controllers. Inside out tracking is not without its cons namely it can't track what it can't see if your hands are above you or behind you they will not be tracked, thankfully the controllers include Giro so even if they are not being tracked in 3d space the computer will still know how they are being tilted. The controllers themselves have been received decently, all of the controllers excluding Samsung which are slightly rounder all the controllers are exactly the same. Most people agree that even though they are not bad they are not as good as the Oculus touch controllers and feel a bit cheep. With steam vr support in beta and coming very soon and the ability to play rift games through revive and steam VR Windows mixed reality headsets offer compelling alternatives to to the rift and vive.