Good news: Windows 10 VR will run on nearly any modern PC

Microsoft has announced the official minimum specifications for a PC capable of running the company's VR platform, Windows Holographic -- and they're surprisingly low.

In short, basically every modern PC should be able to run the platform, even including laptops with Intel's integrated graphics chip as opposed to a standalone graphics card.

The announcement comes from the company's executive vice president Terry Myerson, who spoke at the WinHEC 2016 opening keynote in Shenzhen, China Thursday morning. According to Thurrott, the rundown is as follows:

• CPU: 6th or 7th generation Intel Core i5 mobile dual-core CPU with Hyperthreading or equivalent

• GPU: Integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 (GT2) or equivalent; GPU must be DirectX 12-capable

• RAM: 8GB with dual channel

• HDMI: HDMI 1.4 with 2880x1440px @ 60Hz or HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.3 with 2880x1440px @ 90Hz

• HDD: 100+ GB SSD (preferred) or HDD

• USB: USB 3.0 Type-A or USB 3.1 Type-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode

• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0 for accessories

It's refreshing to see such modest requirements for a virtual reality PC as competitors HTC Vive and Oculus Rift require far more powerful PCs to run.

The difference, however, is that both those platforms, as well as mobile VR experiences like Samsung VR and Google Daydream are already available, while Microsoft's vision of virtual reality (which the company calls mixed reality) is still mostly unknown.

The first Windows 10 VR headsets (created by Microsoft's partners including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Chinese company 3Glasses) should reach the hands of developers in February. Once they actually become available to consumers, the headsets will cost as low as $299, Microsoft previously said.