MSI WT72 VR-focused and NVIDIA-powered laptop is Oculus Rift and HTC Vive compatible

Virtual reality is definitely a legit thing now. For a while, it felt a bit like a gimmick the tech industry was trying to jam down consumers' throats. While not a new concept, it is finally affordable and offers what should be a satisfying experience. Sure, it is not yet perfect, but devices like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive are certainly ushering in a new era.

All of this awesome new VR technology requires a powerful Windows PC. Sorry folks, that Chromebook or MacBook you covet is useless here. Heck, even most computers running Microsoft's ubiquitous desktop OS can't handle it. Today, MSI unveils a Quadro M5500-powered laptop that can handle both the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. The unimaginatively named WT72 mobile workstation is VR-focused and can be configured with top specs. It can even be configured with a Xeon processor! Of course, it is also very expensive.

"Designed for maximum performance, MSI's WT72 is powered by NVIDIA's Quadro M5500 GPU, Intel's 6th generation Core-i7 and Xeon processors, and up to 64GB of DDR4 memory. The latest in professional graphics design technology, the Quadro M5500 is the world's fastest mobile GPU, delivering up to 35 percent performance increase over previous models, with 2,048 cores for optimum speed and power", says MSI.

The company further says, "to enhance the multimedia and user experience, MSI equipped the WT72 with audiophile-grade Dynaudio speakers featuring Nahimic Audio enhancer, True Color Technology screens with Adobe RGB certification for wide viewing angles and the most accurate visuals, and the new SteelSeries backlit keyboard with Silver-Lining Print to eliminate eye strain. The WT72 also comes with Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 connectors, and features a dual fan design for efficient heat dissipation".

Oh my. This beast is drop dead gorgeous, and chock-full of cutting-edge technology. There is no reason not to buy it, right? Well, not so fast -- the price is likely to stop most consumers in their tracks. The starting price is $5,500 -- no, that is not a typo. As you increase the specs, it tops out at $6,900. Jeez, these cost more than my car is worth!

You can see the three configuration options above -- all are available now. While all the models make me want to simultaneously drool and cry tears of joy, none are in my budget, sadly.

Are you willing to spend so much to take advantage of virtual reality with a laptop? Tell me in the comments.