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Yeah, forcing users to get the 128GB version to get the Ethernet port definitely reinforces the money grab optics on Apple. I guess users who really need Ethernet should wait for a Amazon or Best Buy sale. I’ve never used Ethernet, but I don’t have a true-blue legit home theater setup either so the 64GB should be more than adequate to replace my 64GB Apple TV HD (4th Gen) with its aging A8. That A15 should perform like a demon compared to the A8. If I feel generous to Apple, I might consider the 128GB just in case I do need Ethernet, but at the moment, it’s the 64GB I’m interested in.

Edit - I just realized the 128GB is only $20 more so I guess that’s what I’ll get. I thought it would be $179 or something.
 
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Amazing people just can't stop complaining about the lack of a single feature that people don't necessarily need and that it's $50 cheaper as a starting price?

Even with the *same* features it's $30 cheaper than the previous Apple TV 4K and you get double the storage...
The additional storage is a useless feature (never even got close to 32gb). The Ethernet is key for zero lag streaming. Apple very clearly knows people will pay up for if there is no lower tier option with it. Capitalism at its best…
 
Wait ~3 months for the 128GB model to be available in the Apple refurb store and get it for $119-$129...
I already have one on preorder, which reminded me that the last time I did non-iPhone preorders (AirPods v2 and v3) they were cheaper almost immediately after launch from resellers and swore I'd never do that again. But here I am.


A12 to A15 is a very large jump. Whether it’s super noticeable in the short term, who knows. But A15 is a beast.
I will be coming from the 2017 4K with the A10, so I expect that it will be noticeably speedy and I am curious what, if anything, different I will see with my LG C1 OLED with HDMI 2.1.
 
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The additional storage is a useless feature (never even got close to 32gb). The Ethernet is key for zero lag streaming. Apple very clearly knows people will pay up for if there is no lower tier option with it. Capitalism at its best…

0 lag streaming? You competitively streaming Netflix or something and can't be an extra 6ms behind?

But honestly even as someone who does prefer Ethernet, I don't have a problem with this. They dropped the price by $30 from the last version with Ethernet, if the even cheaper 64GB version didn't exist nobody would be complaining.
 
I think the reason why Apple pushes Apple TV users to have larger SSDs is because of big gaming titles coming to Arcade soon.
 
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We know the NIC was probably $0.15

Just a shameless cash grab... Apple knows anyone with a proper home theater wants this thing on ethernet, so they gate it behind the 128GB upgrade, which almost nobody even needs.
Why should “anyone with a proper home theater” care about $20?
 
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I stream 4k DV remuxes without issues over Wi-Fi so the Ethernet port isn’t really needed. Much fuss about a non issue.

Exactly, why are people so adamant about having ethernet on a streaming box, I have no issues getting 700Mbps out of my 1 gig internet connection on the Speed Test app, you only need a fraction of that for even 4K streaming so what's the issue with only using Wi-Fi?

Whether I'm streaming locally through Plex, over the net with Disney+, Netflix, iPlayer, Britbox, YT ect all 4K content starts playing in seconds with zero buffering issues and definitely no issues with SD or 1080p content.

Largest 4K HDR video file I have is 72GB on Plex and that starts streaming natively as is with zero conversion in about 3 secs. If anyone has streaming issues over Wi-Fi then maybe you need to look into improving your crappy Wi-Fi.
 
I'm not sure how to feel, if anything I'd say meh? Also not sure what I was expecting I guess. I'm certainly on the ethernet crowd's side. I appreciate the price drops, even if they are forcing me to get the expensive version to get ethernet, it's still cheaper than the last one.

I've had 3 gens of Apple TVs and I dont know if I've ever noticed a difference in them. My mom will need an AppleTV soon, so I'll get the new one and give her my old one. I have 2 TVs side by side, so I'll be able to compare one vs another, and I'd be very surprised if there was any noticeable difference at all.

I dont get the forced storage and the options. Apple doesnt even give users the option to see how much available storage they have, but wants people to upgrade to a 128gb machine on a box that 99% of people use only for streaming? Someone asked what the storage is even used for and nobody answered. It's a streaming box. 64GB was the highest option before, now you're forcing users to get 128gb to get ethernet?

$50 more to go from 64gb>128gb but Apple has always charged $100 on the iPhone. A15 on a $130 streaming box but the brand new iPad that went up $120 to $450, doesnt even come with the A15. I'd certainly think the iPad would take advantage of it more than an Apple TV. Just interesting things from Apple....

All in all, I'd rather have an upgraded version than not, and regardless it's cheaper than the old one even with this crazy inflation and chip issues, so props for that. Not trying to sound like a hater if thats how it comes off. :)
 
Gonna order one! A15 is a nice surprise!

Edit: Ordered. Replacing a 2017 ATV 4K.
If you use HEVC airplay you should be happily surprised. A12 vs A10X improved playback nicely/ especially when air playing 4K HDR. Super excited to have it very honed on the A15 as A12 still pops an issue now and then. Thought it’d be an A13 and +1GB of ram but this upgrade actually made me go through with it.
 
I bet it still doesn’t get anywhere near to the levels of playback compatibility that the NVIDIA Shield has.
Have had so many problems with HEVC and chromecast. Pisses me off because Apple doesn’t allow SD but Airplay is the most reliable method for HEVC. I have an android tablet with 1.5TB of shows/movies but I have to use my 512GB Apple device for the tv to register a picture and not just sound (Apple device to Apple TV); android chrome cast on any device just plays sound. You might have to add it manually/tediously but at least the Apple TV plays the damn file.
 
Yeah, forcing users to get the 128GB version to get the Ethernet port definitely reinforces the money grab optics on Apple. I guess users who really need Ethernet should wait for a Amazon or Best Buy sale. I’ve never used Ethernet, but I don’t have a true-blue legit home theater setup either so the 64GB should be more than adequate to replace my 64GB Apple TV HD (4th Gen) with its aging A8. That A15 should perform like a demon compared to the A8. If I feel generous to Apple, I might consider the 128GB just in case I do need Ethernet, but at the moment, it’s the 64GB I’m interested in.

Edit - I just realized the 128GB is only $20 more so I guess that’s what I’ll get. I thought it would be $179 or something.
It's called a decoy strategy and you can see it everywhere.
One example would be your everyday coffee. You pay a $2 for a 12oz cup but only $0.10 more for a 16oz. That's how customers end up purchasing more than they need.
 
It's called a decoy strategy and you can see it everywhere.
One example would be your everyday coffee. You pay a $2 for a 12oz cup but only $0.10 more for a 16oz. That's how customers end up purchasing more than they need.
That’s far too low of an up charge. Even if I drank 12.5 I’d be happy to pay the extra as I had the opportunity. Throwing the drink out with product left will also make the consumer feel guilty but a little powerful “I got a deal, and I didn’t even use it all”. Our world is designed on humans weakness and cravings. At least do .50 for the upgrade. Upgrade itself is of course 3C more of a charge to the company.
 
We know the NIC was probably $0.15

Just a shameless cash grab... Apple knows anyone with a proper home theater wants this thing on ethernet, so they gate it behind the 128GB upgrade, which almost nobody even needs.

I have a home theater set up and have zero need for ethernet. I get a consistent 400mbps over wifi. Ethernet does nothing in my case. Those two things have zero in common. The only reason for ethernet is if you have an unreliable wifi connection.
 
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