After teaming up earlier this year to create the Omen X backpack gaming PC that can power a virtual reality headset, HP Inc. and Nvidia Corp. today announced another VR backpack, this time for the enterprise.

Mobile VR technology has come a long way in the last few years, but it still does not hold a candle to the power and fidelity offered by desktop-powered VR. The new HP Z VR Backpack is designed to bridge the gap between power and mobility, and it is even more powerful than its gaming-focused cousin. Like the Omen X, the Z VR Backpack use Intel’s Core i7 processor, but it also sports Nvidia’s beastly Quadro P5200 graphics processing unit, which boasts a bigger 16-gigabyte memory capacity.

HP’s new backpack is certainly more mobile than a giant desktop computer, but it is not exactly a lightweight. According to HP, the backpack PC’s weight depends on how exactly it is configured. For the most mobile experience, users can attach two fairly large batteries, which can be swapped out one at a time without powering down the system.

If users are willing to sacrifice a bit of mobility for less weight, they can use a power cord instead of the batteries. Altogether, the backpack PC weighs about 10.2 pounds with the batteries attached, or about 8.1 pounds without them. This does not include the weight of the VR headset itself, which is sold separately.

HP said the backpack is “a catalyst for more powerful VR experiences across many enterprises and businesses.” According to HP, its “workstation-class” backpack has a wide range of use cases, including training simulations, virtual tours, product concept demonstrations and so on.

“Virtual reality is changing the way people learn, communicate and create,” said Xavier Garcia, vice president and general manager of Z Workstations at HP. “Making the most of this technology requires a collaborative relationship between customers and partners.”

The HP Z VR Backpack supports HP’s custom integration with the HTC Vive Business Edition, but HP said companies can use whichever VR device they prefer, including the HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset. The new VR backpack will launch in September at a starting price of $3,299.

Photo: HP