The PCs with Windows are now compatible with Quest 3, and I tried it for myself.

Microsoft and Meta have collaborated on a new feature that allows users to utilize Windows on a PC while using a Quest 3 or 3S, with a simple connection and usage experience. Users only need to look at the computer and tap a floating button to access Windows in virtual reality, enjoying large screens that are visible only to them. Meta's new Quest 3 and 3S are considered some of the best headsets for independent gaming and media consumption. For greater performance or to access Windows applications that are not yet available in VR, users can connect to a more powerful PC.

To establish the connection, the Mixed Reality Link software, which will be integrated into future versions of Windows, must be downloaded from the Microsoft Store. With the necessary update to Horizon OS v72 already installed, it was only necessary to link the PC and the headset. After this initial step, looking at the computer keyboard reveals a floating connection button. When selected, a large virtual window is created, and the PC screen darkens in about five seconds, providing an almost seamless experience.

The visual experience in Mixed Reality Link offers a virtual screen that appears larger than a physical 24-inch monitor, resembling a size similar to a 27-inch display. With a 16:9 aspect ratio, it seems to float in the three-dimensional space provided by the two 2064 x 2208 pixel screens of the Quest 3. A cinematic mode can also be activated, transforming the display into a giant curve, which is difficult to capture in screenshots.

Adding additional windows in VR is a straightforward process, using a menu that appears when pointing at the bottom right corner. This process allows for creating a mixed environment where 2D applications from the Quest can be used alongside Windows, managing up to six floating windows through a viewing mode that lets users see their surroundings, or switching to a more immersive virtual environment surrounded by marine nature, which provides a pleasant atmosphere conducive to concentration in noisy settings.

I can even immerse myself in applications like OpenBrush to create in 3D and then return to my Windows desktop without losing the connection to the immersive experience. Switching to real-world view mode is equally easy, facilitating comfort when wanting to interact with physical objects, for example, when reaching for a drink.

Although Mixed Reality Link is in beta, its interface is intuitive, and the connection to the PC is quick. I can continue using my keyboard and mouse to manage my applications in Windows while interacting with Horizon OS is handled with hand gestures. This includes the ability to add more virtual screens and open Horizon OS applications simultaneously with Windows apps.

However, there are certain bugs affecting the layout of screens in VR and the visibility of the keyboard. These minor inconveniences can become frustrating, such as the black edges that appear when resizing windows. While the default screen layout is acceptable, I prefer to organize the monitors in vertical columns, which requires manual adjustments.

Despite stepping away from the headset for a while, reconnection was quick, although my customized window layout was lost. Nevertheless, I believe that Mixed Reality Link has great potential, making the collaboration between Meta and Microsoft beneficial, even when compared to third-party applications that offer greater versatility in productivity.