• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
Techmetaverse

Here’s the tech equipment you need to join the metaverse

By
Felicia Hou
Felicia Hou
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Felicia Hou
Felicia Hou
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 13, 2021, 3:16 PM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

It seems like everybody is trying to join the metaverse these days, from big tech companies to fashion retailers. 

A digital universe that combines virtual and physical reality, the metaverse offers its users the chance to buy land, play games and interact with other people across the different platforms online. And there’s no shortage of metaverse tech in the works. In October, Meta announced that it would be spending $10 billion over the next year to develop metaverse-related technologies. Apple will reportedly be releasing a blended virtual reality-augmented reality headset in the next year that could cost up to $3,000. And Snapchat has dreamt of making it in the augmented reality space for a while, although its latest AR spectacles are not yet available to consumers. 

But for ordinary humans, experiencing the metaverse is still entirely possible. Here’s what you’ll need to get started, in order of most basic to most advanced.

A smart phone

It’s entirely possible to venture into the metaverse with just your iOS or Android device. Platforms like Roblox can be accessed after downloading its app for free, and others like Axie Infinity are accessible through Android, though they’re not available on the iPhone yet. 

For an ultimate metaverse beginner, Roblox may be your best intro—it’s available on a wide variety of devices, including Xbox, mobile, tablets, desktop and VR headsets. That means that just through using your phone, you can still interact with friends who are using different equipment. And unlike some other metaverse platforms, you don’t need to buy cryptocurrency to get started.

“The overarching goal for Roblox is to make it so that no matter what platform you’re on, you can have a really good experience,” a spokesperson for Roblox told Fortune. 

A computer

“I would say the Metaverse is currently mostly a PC/Mac experience—either browser based or desktop based—so users can access new types of immersive experiences,” said Sébastien Borget, COO and co-founder of the Sandbox, one of the most popular metaverse platforms. 

Decentraland, which is web-based rather than a desktop application, says it can be accessed through both PC and Macbook (although based on Fortune’s experience, using a Mac can make for extremely slow going). 

For those with a PC, you will need a computer with a good GPU, or graphics processing unit, because the virtual world is detailed and expansive. You’ll also have to set up a crypto wallet with either MetaMask, Bitski, or Venly wallets, which are officially supported by platforms like The Sandbox and Decentraland.

A gaming console

If you already own an Xbox, you may already have everything you need to explore a lot of the metaverse. Platforms like Roblox are available to Xbox users. Microsoft, which owns Xbox, has made its interest in the metaverse clear, and is offering users exclusive experiences in the digital world through their consoles, like an interactive “metaverse museum” in honor of Xbox’s 20th anniversary.

There’s not a huge difference between using a gaming console or a PC, as platforms will offer the same games and services on both. But if you’re already used to the controls of a gaming console like the Xbox, you may prefer to stick to those to move around your metaverse avatar.

A Virtual Reality (VR) headset

While companies have offered VR headsets before the metaverse hype that kicked off in earnest this year, some have recently started to heavily invest in the concept of an immersive, interactive digital world. 

Meta (formerly known as Facebook) launched its first public foray into the metaverse last week, through an app made for its Oculus Quest 2 headset called Horizon Worlds. It’s important to note, though, that Oculus has been in development for years. The current Oculus headset is available for purchase at a base price of $299. 

For gamers, Sony’s Playstation VR headset is also available for purchase, with game bundles (a headset and video game sold together) costing around $399. The Valve Index VR headset is also a popular option for gamers at $499. While Microsoft has been developing its VR technology since 2016 with its Hololens headset, it is currently catered towards developers and businesses for $3,500. 

There are also reports that companies are continuing to develop more advanced VR headsets, including Meta with a new high-end virtual and augmented reality headset called Project Cambria and a Playstation VR 2 to come out in 2022. 

Augmented Reality (AR) glasses

Augmented reality is slightly different from virtual reality in that the user’s physical environment is incorporated into their digital experience (think of playing Pokemon Go, and seeing a character show up somewhere you’re pointing your phone in the real world.) Because of this, AR glasses or goggles are usually less clunky than VR headsets, but also more expensive—Magic Leap’s AR glasses are available for purchase starting at $2,295, and Lenovo’s ThinkReality A3 glasses are also a hefty investment at $1,499.

Right now, while VR and AR headsets “are certainly appealing,” a computer like a PC “has the advantage of still being widespread and enabling users all sorts of interactions,” said Borget. According to Unity, a 3D software company with plans to enter the metaverse, it’s up to the user to choose what tool will give them the experience they’re looking for. 

“Before we define access points, it’s up to the Creator to define what their version of the metaverse is,” a spokesperson from Unity told Fortune. “So that is to say, one Creator could believe their metaverse is all virtual (VR) and thereby you need a headset like an Oculus to access it. Another could believe it’s a blend of the physical and digital, and so you can do it on a mobile device. A PC can be just one entry point into the metaverse.” 

Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez contributed to reporting.

Fortune’s upcoming Brainstorm Design conference is going to dive into how businesses are building experiences in the metaverse. Apply to attend the event on May 23-24 in New York.

About the Author
By Felicia Hou
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

Current price of Ethereum for June 24, 2026
Personal FinanceEthereum
Current price of Ethereum for June 24, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 24, 2026
2 hours ago
Taktile cofounders Maik Taro Wehmeyer (left) and Maximilian Eber (right) stand side by side, smiling at the camera.
Startups & VentureVenture Capital
Exclusive: Taktile raises $110 million from Goldman Sachs, Tiger Global to automate high-stakes financial decisions 
By Camila Grigera NaónJune 24, 2026
2 hours ago
Sarah Youngwood, EVP and CFO at Nasdaq.
AICFO Daily
Nasdaq’s CFO says leaders must learn AI—not just their teams
By Sheryl EstradaJune 24, 2026
2 hours ago
steve
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
Steve Case: America was built by entrepreneurs. Here’s how we keep that edge for the next 250 years
By Steve CaseJune 24, 2026
2 hours ago
(left to right) Andrew Berman, Tal Peretz, and Vitor Balocco
AIVenture Capital
Exclusive: Vinod Khosla wanted ‘every available dollar’ of Runlayer’s funding round. It just raised $30 million to govern the agent workforce
By Lily Mae LazarusJune 24, 2026
3 hours ago
t
CommentaryWhite House
Trump mistakes the bully pulpit for bullying leadership — history’s villains were never heroes
By Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven TianJune 24, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
Economy
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
8 hours ago
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
Banking
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
By Jim EdwardsJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
Texas and Charlotte used to build huge McMansions—now they're copying the California design tricks they once mocked
Real Estate
Texas and Charlotte used to build huge McMansions—now they're copying the California design tricks they once mocked
By Sydney LakeJune 22, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of gold as of June 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of June 23, 2026
By Danny BakstJune 23, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.