HP has pulled the covers off the Reverb G2, a high-resolution virtual reality headset that aims to give Windows Mixed Reality a shot in the arm. [The $599 Reverb G2, the result of a collaboration between Microsoft and Valve, sits between the Oculus Rift S and the Valve Index VR headsets. While other VR headsets are slowly becoming more self-contained, the Reverb G2 appears to target those who need a connected PC and want a high-end VR experience.

For its rather expensive price, the Reverb G2 offers a complete set of VR technology, using Valve-designed lenses to achieve a resolution of 2K per eye, surpassing the 1440 x 1600 per eye resolution of the Valve Index.

At a 90Hz refresh rate, the Reverb G2 loses out to Index's 120Hz display; the 114-degree viewing angle also promises a powerful VR immersion experience.

Speaking of immersion, the Reverb G2 uses 3D spatial audio with built-in headphones, which HP claims makes VR gaming more immersive and allows the wearer to "experience real sensors in 3D space."

The four-camera tracking technology should further enhance immersion by capturing 1.4 times more movement than other Windows Mixed Reality headsets. This is done without the need for external sensors.

The only external component that ignores the need for a powerful PC is the controller. This is a modified Windows Mixed Reality controller, with ring-shaped LEDs on the left and right controllers, but with a refined button and joystick layout and no trackpad, it may be a bit more difficult to control with other headsets.

Hardware-wise, the Reverb G2 is a solid upgrade to HP's previous Reverb headsets. But the increased resolution and other nice improvements should make the Windows Mixed Reality platform and SteamVR built into Windows 10 more enjoyable; for VR fans, they've got a high-quality game of Half-Life! So: now you can experience the immersive world of virtual reality with Alyx.

The Reverb G2 treads the line between the $399 Oculus Rift S and the $999 high-end product Index. It beats both headsets in resolution and offers a faster refresh rate than the Rift S's 80Hz, undoubtedly justifying its $599 price. But even if it lacks some of the advanced features of Valve's headset, such as a 130-degree viewing angle and external motion sensors, it is still less than half the price of the Index.

Currently, our Best VR Headsets selection offers a wide range of headsets to choose from. However, good Windows Mixed Reality headsets are not always common, so the Reverb G2 could be a good alternative to headsets from Oculus, HTC, and Valve when it arrives in July.