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32gb or 64gb Apple TV?
- Thread starter lewjh
- Start date
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$20 extra does not seem to be that much to me for double the storage. I'm thinking you might make most of that back when finally you sell it.
Since I don't play games on the ATV, I'm not going to need 64GB (or 32GB for that matter), but it may be a bonus when it comes time to sell.
Since I don't play games on the ATV, I'm not going to need 64GB (or 32GB for that matter), but it may be a bonus when it comes time to sell.
I am currently annoyed that Apple didn't provide a larger than 64GB storage option with the newly announced ATV. That said, not everyone is in the storage position that I currently am with my ATVs.
I have a bunch of ATVs.
Personally, I would just spend the extra $20 for the larger size.
If the extra $20 will hurt, and/or if you plan on buying multiple ATVs, the storage size totally depends on what you do with the ATV.
If all you do is stream, the 32GB will be more than adequate.
If you stream, and play a few games, the 32GB will probably be fine.
If there is any chance of having more than just a few large games, then 32GB might be an issue.
I have 64GB ATVs, and I get filled storage messages often. What is worse is that just deleting apps doesn't automatically free up space, due to how storage and cached data is handled by the OS. So, if you want to download an app, and you get the filled data message, just deleting a few apps doesn't automatically lead to freeing up space to download the app you want to get.
Another problem I ran into with tvOS 14.2 update was when it deleted every app, but kept the app data associated with the app. I assume I was low on space, so the only way for the OS to install the update was to delete all the apps, and reinstall them after the update was completed.
The issue is that I had apps installed that are no longer in the tvOS App Store, so it basically self deleted perfectly working apps. All the apps that were still in the App Store reinstalled fine with the app data still there.
A lot of the bigger games are over 3GB, with some almost 4GB. That means just one big game will take up over 10% of your storage.
But... many of the smaller games are really small, and you can download literal hundreds of them.
If you are into simple games or even some 2D platformers, 32GB will be fine. If you like large games, such as open world and/or 3D games, this could eat up the 32GB quickly.
Also, there are some other things that use a lot of data that people forget about. The Aerial Screensavers are about 1GB each, and new ones are downloaded weekly. Using a bunch of different streaming apps can fill up the cache, which is suppose to be emptied when more space is needed, but it doesn't always work when downloading a new app.
Basically, an extra $20 now could save you some annoyances in the future. Unless you plan on doing just streaming with many some limited gaming, I would get the larger 64GB.
I have a bunch of ATVs.
Personally, I would just spend the extra $20 for the larger size.
If the extra $20 will hurt, and/or if you plan on buying multiple ATVs, the storage size totally depends on what you do with the ATV.
If all you do is stream, the 32GB will be more than adequate.
If you stream, and play a few games, the 32GB will probably be fine.
If there is any chance of having more than just a few large games, then 32GB might be an issue.
I have 64GB ATVs, and I get filled storage messages often. What is worse is that just deleting apps doesn't automatically free up space, due to how storage and cached data is handled by the OS. So, if you want to download an app, and you get the filled data message, just deleting a few apps doesn't automatically lead to freeing up space to download the app you want to get.
Another problem I ran into with tvOS 14.2 update was when it deleted every app, but kept the app data associated with the app. I assume I was low on space, so the only way for the OS to install the update was to delete all the apps, and reinstall them after the update was completed.
The issue is that I had apps installed that are no longer in the tvOS App Store, so it basically self deleted perfectly working apps. All the apps that were still in the App Store reinstalled fine with the app data still there.
It totally depends on the games and how many.
A lot of the bigger games are over 3GB, with some almost 4GB. That means just one big game will take up over 10% of your storage.
But... many of the smaller games are really small, and you can download literal hundreds of them.
If you are into simple games or even some 2D platformers, 32GB will be fine. If you like large games, such as open world and/or 3D games, this could eat up the 32GB quickly.
Also, there are some other things that use a lot of data that people forget about. The Aerial Screensavers are about 1GB each, and new ones are downloaded weekly. Using a bunch of different streaming apps can fill up the cache, which is suppose to be emptied when more space is needed, but it doesn't always work when downloading a new app.
Basically, an extra $20 now could save you some annoyances in the future. Unless you plan on doing just streaming with many some limited gaming, I would get the larger 64GB.
Appreciate the detailed response. Seems like I’m overthinking this for the sake of $20. I’ll go 64gb. Thanks
Go for the bigger storage. 20$ more for double the storage. It is a no brainer.
The first ATV4 I bought I went with the 64GB. I never put anything meaningful on it, so for the next few ATV products I bought I just got 32GB and I’ve been fine. We don’t play games on them, just a handful of streaming apps including Plex.
I figured I’d go with 32GB ATV4K-2 as I need three of them and I could use the $60 saved to upgrade one of the remaining remotes.
I figured I’d go with 32GB ATV4K-2 as I need three of them and I could use the $60 saved to upgrade one of the remaining remotes.
apple never really made it clear what the compelling use case is for 64GB.
I paid extra for the TV 4K for the higher storage out of habit...I don't need it. The TV doesn't download your shows, so the storage is just for apps and I don't download many apps or games. For me it's a streaming box with nice wallpapers so I'll go with the cheaper option.
I guess as well the reason I'll get 64GB rather than 32GB is future-proofing a little bit. I've had my Apple TV version 3 for nearly 7 years and there's not much in this latest release (versus the last version, as opposed to my 3) other than the remote which is interesting to me. However I'd like to keep this one for 7 years too, and if I do get into a few games on Apple Arcade, the extra £20 will hopefully push me to an extra year or two of use out of it.
I still don't know what the storage space is serving - outside of games. We watch content via Plex, HBO Max, Netflix, etc and would LOVE for the AppleTV to locally cache content based on viewing patterns. Outside of manually uploading with something like VLC, I've never found a use for the space.
Honestly, for the cost of manufacturing, packaging and stocking 2 different models, I'm surprised Apple doesn't put the same hardware in all the AppleTVs and then limit storage space via software.
Honestly, for the cost of manufacturing, packaging and stocking 2 different models, I'm surprised Apple doesn't put the same hardware in all the AppleTVs and then limit storage space via software.
I bought the 32GB and now I wish I’d gotten the 64GB. True, the box doesn’t download shows/movies but it does download the screen savers and seems to cache (if there’s space) your photos. It does a good job managing storage, but it will also clear the cache from less used programs. So the few games we do play regularly re-download their content. Not a huge deal but not worth saving $20 over the lifetime of the project IMO.
I’ve got a 64GB ATV4, and whilst you can’t determine total GB usage easily you can see the size of the individual apps in the settings. I didn’t bother adding up the app sizes because the total wouldn’t have come anywhere near 32GB, and that was enough to convince me I only need the 32GB model next time
If you’re going to use it as a streaming box, get the smaller storage. If you’re going to game on it, get the bigger one IMO.
I have no use for the 64GB. But I may just get it. For resale value. I’m thinking the 32GB might drop in value more over time.
I picked up 64gb because I'm hoping to try out some Apple Arcade games on it. I've had Apple Arcade from the start, but just play on my phone/iPad since I have an ancient 3rd gen AppleTV.
I bought 32GB last time. This time I pre-ordered from Best Buy and had $10 in reward certificates. Hopefully it comes on time, but there's nothing wrong with my existing one.
Basically, had no issues with the 32GB.
Basically, had no issues with the 32GB.
I was thinking about 32GB or 64GB. Decided on 32GB as I‘ve basically had the HD model since launch and I‘ve never come close to filling it up. Anyhow during the Chaos of the pre-orders I couldn’t get the 32GB in my basket so just went for the 64GB model. Now that everything had calmed down I can see that the 32GB is still available for launch week delivery but I honestly cant be bothered to change it. It’s only £20 more and I plan on keeping it for at least 5 years so you never know what you might need.
My son has started showing interest in playing games on the Apple TV so, I might need more space going forward. I’m on the premier Apple one plan and I’ve no plans to downgrade. Arcade and fitness plus are my freebies.
I keep hearing this and no offence its a complete and utter myth. The screensavers do not take up masses of space, they take next to no space at all even on a 32GB. As for photos - no issues caused by caching or lack thereof.
The 64GB Apple TV is a simple upsell tactic by apple to widen profit margins. As I've mentioned on another thread the differential cost to apple between the storage tiers is 40 cents! They are relying on people saying 'its only £20'. Now if the ATV changes and we are allowed to download media, things would be different, but in its current form we need to remember that it is a mere client / streaming box, and not a media server.
Wow. "no offense" but my experience is "complete and utter myth"? So am I lying or just stupid?
Your experience may be different than mine but I assure you my AppleTV 32GB is full and the screen saves get cleared out automatically to save space. The only that plays at the moment is the awful LA flyby shot. If I manually clear space it will download others in the background.
Regarding photos, if the AppleTV has adequate space it seems to cache photos I've already downloaded/viewed. I don't have logs to verify that but I know my photo libraries and download speeds. So I could be simplifying or overstating here but the user experience changes when I run out of space.
As you point out to Casey Royals there are apps that delineate how your space is used. I know how space is used on my AppleTV.
Screensavers are considered cache, so if your storage is full then cache will
be emptied. My point is that the screensavers do not take up masses of space to the point that they will cause owners of the 32Gb ATV problems. That’s a nonsense.