Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple TV: Buy or wait?
- Thread starter preyan
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
S.B.G
Moderator emeritus
I really want to get an ATV but am wondering what your opinion is on an upgrade coming by end of the year?
I am willing to wait till December if need be but just wondering.
I know no one really knows but based on history, what's your take?
Thanks
It's really difficult to say as Apple has had no real schedule of releases for this device. You can review our Buyers Guide on the Apple TV and see the history of it.
I think if you want one now, go ahead and get one. No one knows if there is another one coming or if the supposed iTV will be released this year or at all.
If a new device comes out this year, I think it's safe to say it would happen when the holiday season products are released. If you it doesn't come by the end of October, I bet it won't come before March.
US Marine
macrumors member
I would just go for it. Even if they update it soon, I honestly can't think of anything they could add to make you regret buying the old one. It has Hulu, Netflix, iTunes, and AirPlay. Honestly what more could you want out of the device? A faster wireless capability? That is a bad selling point, as even when streaming full 1080 HD content, you aren't straining the bandwidth capabilities of the current 802.11a/b/g/n chip.
Actually, I had a look at it earlier this week, thanks.
After I posted this, I went to Wiki to see the release dates for all 3 generations, plus the minor update for the last one.
Very inconsistent to say the least when it comes to Apple TV. I really don't need it now and guess I'll just wait till end of this year. Though my mind is telling me, wait for the next generation...whenever that will be 😀
I mean I've never had it all this time so its not like I'm missing something in my life that I use to have 😀
Just that I'm gearing up for an expensive couple of months and am waiting for the next generation:
iPad Mini
MacBook Pro with Retina Display
Apple TV
...and if there is a new releases this year...iPod touch
S.B.G
Moderator emeritus
I really want to get an ATV but am wondering what your opinion is on an upgrade coming by end of the year?
I am willing to wait till December if need be but just wondering.
I know no one really knows but based on history, what's your take?
Thanks
It is what it is.
It may change in the future, maybe it won't because contracts/licenses/TV Networks.
For the things it does now, it's better than my ROKU or WDTV, it's a no brainier.
The only exception would be if you have Amazon Prime, no NetFlix, and no iOS devices. Then maybe a Roku would be better? Still probably not but depends on individual usage.
.
this is probably the best time to buy Apple TV. WWDC announcements have concluded and there's nothing in the horizon as far as TV is concerned from Apple in the next few months. Also, considering Apple TV is $99, you can't go wrong with it. The functionality it offers is quite extraordinary, just the AirPlay and Mirroring makes it worth it.
S.B.G
Moderator emeritus
If you can wait then i would wait, especially if one of your primary uses will be Airplay mirroring. The chip might see a modest upgrade but wireless and hopefully wired Gigabit speeds would be a huge performance gain for 1080p videos in particular.
If it's not updated this year then my guess would be early next year.
If it's not updated this year then my guess would be early next year.
Here's the thing. Even if Apple TV upgrade brings in. 802.11ac wifi capability, you'll have to get hold of the very latest AirPort Extreme to make the whole setup work. Also your macbook and iPad and iPhone need to be compatible with that kind of wifi too. So you are probably looking at an investment upwards of $1000 to make the whole thing work at optimum level. Or you could just buy Apple TV now, experience it, and if you like the thing, upgrade devices later in the day. As they say, if you wanna wait for the next big thing in technology you'll be kept waiting forever.
All I want is proper 4x3 support for iPad in education mirroring, and folders again for TV shows.
Buying recommendation for the AppleTV is ALWAYS buy.
At this point, new hardware that anyone has a line on can offer little to nothing over the existing model.
Buying more than one ATV? Now that becomes a whole nother animal. 🙂
At this point, new hardware that anyone has a line on can offer little to nothing over the existing model.
Buying more than one ATV? Now that becomes a whole nother animal. 🙂
scapegoat81
macrumors 6502a
I was thinking the same thing, but I went ahead & bought it anyway. If another comes out that's worth buying, ill just use this one on my secondary tv in my bedroom. It'll make my cord cutting decision a lot easier on my wife lol
I've been wondering too. After getting burned, buying a Apple Extreme just weeks before the new model was announced, I didn't want to buy the ATV just to have it superseded a couple weeks later. But I guess it IS only $95.
Mainly want it so I can do netflix streaming in the bedroom, and the Airplay functionality for a few shows I've purchased through iTunes.
I don't see buying a smart TV at this time, which is why I went about the cheapest 40" I could find earlier this year. I can see the "smart" tvs being very outdated pretty fast. Something will be the limiting factor. storage. RAM. CPU.
Might be part of the reason the long expected Apple Television hasn't been released. Is Apple ready to release a TV where people will still be able to use the smart capabilities 8-10 years later? The first Apple iPhones still work for voice/texting. But the other features make them pretty limited now. No current OS, RAM is limited, etc.
Mainly want it so I can do netflix streaming in the bedroom, and the Airplay functionality for a few shows I've purchased through iTunes.
I don't see buying a smart TV at this time, which is why I went about the cheapest 40" I could find earlier this year. I can see the "smart" tvs being very outdated pretty fast. Something will be the limiting factor. storage. RAM. CPU.
Might be part of the reason the long expected Apple Television hasn't been released. Is Apple ready to release a TV where people will still be able to use the smart capabilities 8-10 years later? The first Apple iPhones still work for voice/texting. But the other features make them pretty limited now. No current OS, RAM is limited, etc.
They were about to ratify a new WiFi standard so that one should have been easy to see coming.
I've been waiting to get an Apple TV because it doesn't have an app store yet. I don't know how long I'll have to wait for that. 🙄
I just a Apple TV today the first out of three, but should the Apple TV get a app store will it be made available as download for the Apple TV 3.
Doesn't really matter IMO as long as the TV has inputs. The screen won't be quickly outdated and you can always add a box. My Viera's a smart TV but I didn't buy it because it's a smart TV.