Skip to content

How Well Does Oculus Air Link Work? (Detailed Response)

    ✅ Fact Checked
    Updated on January 3, 2023
    John Chad, Bachelor Computer Science Degree & Computer Engineering.
    Written by
    John Chad, Bachelor Degree in Computer Science & Computer Engineering.
    Russel Collins
    Fact Checked by
    Russel Collins
    John is a certified IT & Computer Engineer with a Bachelors Degree. He has worked for a International Insurance Company in the IT department before deciding to become a full time blogger to help his readers. Holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from Stanford University.

    ⌚️ Only have 60 seconds?
    Oculus Air Link is a new feature that allows users to play PC-based virtual reality games on their Quest 2 headset wirelessly. The performance of the feature can vary depending on the quality of your wireless connection and the compatibility of the games you are trying to play. While it offers a great deal of convenience and flexibility, it is not without its own set of limitations. Overall, Oculus Air Link can provide a smooth and seamless VR experience for many users, but it is important to keep in mind the potential impact on the performance of the VR experience.
    Oculus Air Link is a new feature introduced by Oculus that allows users to play PC-based virtual reality games on their Quest 2 headset wirelessly. While this feature has been praised for its convenience, many people are wondering just how well it works. Does it provide a smooth and seamless VR experience, or are there issues with latency and other technical issues? In this article, we will take a closer look at Oculus Air Link and see how well it performs in various situations.

    1What is Oculus Air Link and how does it work?

    Oculus Air Link is a new feature that allows users to play PC-based virtual reality games on their Quest 2 headset wirelessly. It uses a feature called “Virtual Desktop” that streams the PC’s desktop to the headset, and the headset’s motion tracking data is then sent back to the PC in real-time.

    To use Oculus Air Link, you will need to have a Quest 2 headset and a PC with an Oculus account. You will also need a good wireless network connection, as the feature relies on a stable and fast connection to work properly.

    Setting up Oculus Air Link is relatively straightforward. First, you will need to install the “Virtual Desktop” app on your PC. Then, on your Quest 2 headset, you will need to enable the “Allow Quest to be used as a PC VR headset” option in the device’s settings. Once these steps are completed, you should be able to select “Virtual Desktop” from the list of apps on your headset and begin streaming your PC’s desktop to the headset.

    One thing to keep in mind is that not all PC games are compatible with Oculus Air Link. You will need to check if the games you want to play are supported by the feature before attempting to use it.

    Overall, Oculus Air Link provides a convenient way to play PC-based VR games on your Quest 2 headset without having to deal with the hassle of wires. However, the performance of the feature will depend on the quality of your wireless connection and the compatibility of the games you are trying to play.

    2Performance of Oculus Air Link

    One of the main factors that determines the quality of a virtual reality experience is the performance of the connection between the headset and the computer. This is especially important for Oculus Air Link, as it relies on a wireless connection to stream the PC’s desktop to the headset and transmit the headset’s motion tracking data back to the PC.

    In general, the performance of Oculus Air Link will depend on the quality of your wireless network connection. A stable and fast connection is essential for a smooth and seamless VR experience. If you have a slow or unstable connection, you may experience issues such as latency, which can disrupt the immersion of the VR experience.

    Another factor that can impact the performance of Oculus Air Link is the compatibility of the games you are trying to play. Some PC games may not work properly with the feature, or you may experience issues such as dropped frames or visual artifacts.

    In comparison to a wired connection, Oculus Air Link may not provide the same level of performance. Wires can provide a more stable and consistent connection, which can result in a smoother VR experience. However, the convenience of a wireless connection may outweigh the potential performance benefits for some users.

    Overall, the performance of Oculus Air Link will depend on a variety of factors, including the quality of your wireless connection and the compatibility of the games you are trying to play. While it may not provide the same level of performance as a wired connection, it can still offer a convenient and enjoyable VR experience for many users.

    3Pros and cons of Oculus Air Link

    Oculus Air Link is a new feature that allows users to play PC-based virtual reality games on their Quest 2 headset wirelessly. It offers a convenient way to play VR games without the need for cables, but it also has its own set of advantages and disadvantages to consider.

    One of the main pros of Oculus Air Link is its convenience. Being able to play VR games wirelessly can make the VR experience more comfortable and immersive, as you don’t have to worry about tripping over cables or getting tangled up in them. It also makes it easier to set up and use the headset, as you don’t have to worry about connecting it to a computer.

    Another pro of Oculus Air Link is that it allows you to use your Quest 2 headset as a standalone device. You can play VR games and apps on the headset without the need for a PC, which can be especially useful for people who don’t have a powerful enough computer to run VR games.

    On the other hand, there are also some cons to consider with Oculus Air Link. One of the main disadvantages is that it relies on a wireless connection, which can potentially impact the performance of the VR experience. If you have a slow or unstable connection, you may experience issues such as latency or dropped frames, which can disrupt the immersion of the VR experience.

    Another potential disadvantage of Oculus Air Link is that not all PC games are compatible with the feature. You may have to check if the games you want to play are supported by the feature before attempting to use it.

    Overall, Oculus Air Link offers a convenient and enjoyable way to play PC-based VR games on your Quest 2 headset without the need for cables. However, it also has its own set of advantages and disadvantages to consider, including the potential impact on the performance of the VR experience and the compatibility of the games you want to play.

    4FAQ

    Does Oculus Airlink have latency?

    Oculus Air Link is a feature that allows users to play PC-based virtual reality games on their Quest 2 headset wirelessly. It relies on a wireless connection to stream the PC’s desktop to the headset and transmit the headset’s motion tracking data back to the PC in real-time. Latency, or the delay between the headset’s motion and the corresponding response on the PC, can potentially impact the performance of the VR experience.

    The presence of latency with Oculus Air Link will depend on a variety of factors, including the quality of your wireless connection. If you have a stable and fast connection, you may not experience any noticeable latency while using the feature. However, if you have a slow or unstable connection, you may experience latency issues that can disrupt the immersion of the VR experience.

    Overall, the presence of latency with Oculus Air Link will depend on the specific circumstances of your setup and usage. It is important to ensure that you have a good wireless connection to minimize the potential for latency issues.

    Is Oculus Air Link better than Virtual Desktop?

    Oculus Air Link is a new feature that allows users to play PC-based virtual reality games on their Quest 2 headset wirelessly. It uses a feature called “Virtual Desktop” that streams the PC’s desktop to the headset, and the headset’s motion tracking data is then sent back to the PC in real-time.

    In terms of performance, Oculus Air Link and Virtual Desktop may offer similar experiences, as they both rely on a wireless connection to stream the PC’s desktop to the headset. The performance of either feature will depend on the quality of your wireless connection and the compatibility of the games you are trying to play.

    One potential advantage of Oculus Air Link over Virtual Desktop is that it allows for the headset’s motion tracking data to be transmitted back to the PC in real-time, which can potentially provide a more immersive VR experience. However, this will also depend on the specific circumstances of your setup and usage.

    Overall, it is difficult to say definitively whether Oculus Air Link is better than Virtual Desktop, as the performance of either feature will depend on a variety of factors. It may be worth trying out both options to see which one works best for you.

    Do you need Virtual Desktop for Oculus link?

    Oculus Link is a feature that allows users to play PC-based virtual reality games on their Oculus Quest headset using a USB cable. It allows the headset to be used as a PC-based VR headset, similar to the Oculus Rift.

    To use Oculus Link, you will need to have an Oculus Quest headset and a PC with an Oculus account. You will also need a compatible USB cable to connect the headset to the PC.

    In terms of software, you will need to have the Oculus app installed on your PC and the Oculus Link software installed on your headset. You will also need to enable the “Oculus Link” feature in the headset’s settings.

    In terms of other software, you may want to consider using the “Virtual Desktop” app, which allows you to stream the PC’s desktop to the headset. This can be especially useful if you want to use the headset as a standalone device and access your PC’s desktop wirelessly. However, it is not strictly necessary to use Virtual Desktop in order to use Oculus Link.

    Overall, while you do not strictly need Virtual Desktop to use Oculus Link, it can provide additional convenience and functionality for some users.

    Is Airlink better than Virtual Desktop?

    Oculus Air Link is a new feature that allows users to play PC-based virtual reality games on their Quest 2 headset wirelessly. It uses a feature called “Virtual Desktop” that streams the PC’s desktop to the headset, and the headset’s motion tracking data is then sent back to the PC in real-time.

    In terms of performance, Oculus Air Link and Virtual Desktop may offer similar experiences, as they both rely on a wireless connection to stream the PC’s desktop to the headset. The performance of either feature will depend on the quality of your wireless connection and the compatibility of the games you are trying to play.

    One potential advantage of Oculus Air Link over Virtual Desktop is that it allows for the headset’s motion tracking data to be transmitted back to the PC in real-time, which can potentially provide a more immersive VR experience. However, this will also depend on the specific circumstances of your setup and usage.

    Overall, it is difficult to say definitively whether Oculus Air Link is better than Virtual Desktop, as the performance of either feature will depend on a variety of factors. It may be worth trying out both options to see which one works best for you.

    Has Oculus Airlink improved?

    Oculus Air Link is a new feature that was introduced by Oculus to allow users to play PC-based virtual reality games on their Quest 2 headset wirelessly. It uses a feature called “Virtual Desktop” that streams the PC’s desktop to the headset, and the headset’s motion tracking data is then sent back to the PC in real-time.

    Since its introduction, it is possible that Oculus Air Link has undergone improvements in terms of its performance and functionality. However, without access to specific information about these improvements, it is difficult to say for certain how the feature has changed over time.

    Overall, it is likely that Oculus Air Link has improved since its introduction, but the extent of these improvements will depend on the specific circumstances and needs of the user. If you are considering using the feature, it may be worth checking with Oculus or researching online to see if there have been any notable improvements to the feature since its introduction.

    4Conclusion

    In short, Oculus Air Link is a convenient and innovative feature that allows users to play PC-based virtual reality games on their Quest 2 headset wirelessly. While it offers a great deal of convenience and flexibility, the performance of the feature can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the quality of your wireless connection and the compatibility of the games you are trying to play.

    Overall, Oculus Air Link can provide a smooth and seamless VR experience for many users, but it is not without its own set of limitations. If you are considering using the feature, it is important to keep in mind the potential impact on the performance of the VR experience and to check if the games you want to play are supported by the feature.