The VIVE doesn’t work with “optimus” graphics solutions, which is typically what you find in laptops with “M” graphics chips.
The reason is that the vsync comes out of the Intel Integrated framebuffer, whereas the 3D rendering itself comes out of the NVIDIA chip, and then gets transferred to the framebuffer with DMA.
Also, this additional transfer adds latency to the equation, so if you got it to work, it wouldn’t be responsive enough for immersive VR.
I have a Razer Blade 2014 laptop, which has the same graphics setup, and when I used the Rift DK, it kind-of worked, but with slowness; later solutions don’t work at all.
I use a desktop computer for VR development and play.
If you don’t have a desktop available, perhaps the next best thing for you would be one of these (for Alienware) or this (requires hacking and mainly for macbooks) or this (whenever and if-ever it ships)? (Assuming you have modern enough ports on your laptop.)
And regarding installing VR for consumers: Hell, yeah, this is early, bleeding-edge time for the field!
When step 2 of the install instructions are “get out a power drill and punch holes in your living room wall,” you know it’s not a mainstream thing yet!
That’s why I think that most developers actually have plenty of time to ease themselves into VR – it has many years of learning and adoption ahead of it.