Is it worth getting Apple TV 2 if my friend sells me one?

[Kendo]

He doesn't have JB nor does he care about getting maximum dollar for it. As far as he's concerned, it is an old Apple TV and he's asking $50 for it even though I repeatedly told him he can get more on eBay.

My question is if it is worth getting the Apple TV 2? My main concern is the A4 and not sure if I should just get the Apple TV 3 for $100 since it has a more powerful processor, doubel the RAM, and does 1080p.

Also, can I mirror my MacBook using the Apple TV or does it only mirror specific apps like iTunes and games? Can I fire up Safari or mirror a movie off VLC and stream it to my TV?

 

[imlovinit]

i have an apple 2 (jailbroken) and and apple 3 they both work the same for me. I really don't notice a difference with my performance in being able to do what i want to do. Or maybe I just don't use it as much. I can airplay on both. Its worth grabbing for $50 anyways. If you don't like it you can sell it yourself.

 

[2010mini]

He doesn't have JB nor does he care about getting maximum dollar for it. As far as he's concerned, it is an old Apple TV and he's asking $50 for it even though I repeatedly told him he can get more on eBay.

My question is if it is worth getting the Apple TV 2? My main concern is the A4 and not sure if I should just get the Apple TV 3 for $100 since it has a more powerful processor, doubel the RAM, and does 1080p.

Also, can I mirror my MacBook using the Apple TV or does it only mirror specific apps like iTunes and games? Can I fire up Safari or mirror a movie off VLC and stream it to my TV?

Apple TV 2 and 3 have the same processor.

 

[roidy]

Apple TV 2 and 3 have the same processor.

AppleTV 2 has the A4 CPU and the AppleTV 3 has the A5 CPU, not the same at all.

OP, I have both ATV 2 and 3 and the ATV 3 is more responsive, plus unless you only have a 720p display then why limit yourself to a 720p device. I'd buy the ATV 2 for $50 sell it on ebay for more than the price of an ATV 3, buy an ATV 3 new and keep the nice profit you'll make

 

[thekayman]

here's where aTV2 > aTV3

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1629381/

not to mention it's jailbreakable and with XBMC or Infuse installed you can do so much more with it, like playing any video file in any format

 

[roidy]

What about the thousands of other people using aTV 3's with no problems. One thread with a few people having a problem does not make the aTV 2 better than the aTV 3.

As for jailbreaking and xmbc, try ATV 3 + PlexConnect = playing any video file in any format in full 1080p.

 

[thekayman]

One thread with a few people having a problem does not make the aTV 2 better than the aTV 3.

for that particular aspect, it does, even if only 1 person is having that issue

As for jailbreaking and xmbc, try ATV 3 + PlexConnect = playing any video file in any format in full 1080p.

does that work for streaming files off a NAS, for example, w/o having a Mac/PC running?

 

[cathul]

does that work for streaming files off a NAS, for example, w/o having a Mac/PC running?

Yes

 

[benji888]

I know I'm late to reply, but, as long as you don't care that you'll only be able to play 720p, and no more software updates, get it...

Apple TV 2 and 3 have the same processor.

This is pretty much true, the confusion is that, while the 3 has an "A5" processor, it is only single core, thus, almost the same as an A4 (same speed mark test scores). [The main difference between A4 & A5 is single core vs dual core processor.] The ATV2 has 256MB RAM, 8GB storage, ATV3 512MB RAM, 8GB storage, so this would be main reason for 720p vs 1080p (and more features, see next para.) The 2012 ATV3 was made with a dual-core A5 processor that had one core "turned off" (same A5 could be put in various apple products). The 2013 ATV3 had a smaller single core A5 processor and other component tweaks that made it cheaper to produce and lower power consumption. (source: http://9to5mac.com/2013/03/15/impli...le-tv-lower-cost-new-a5-chip-ramping-numbers/)

That being said, the following features are only available on a new ATV3, (besides 1080p), you can continue to get software updates, initial set up via beacons (just put compatible iOS device near it (wifi & bluetooth on), it will set itself up after you enter your iTunes password on iOS device.), family sharing, and people w/iOS devices can AirPlay to it without being on your wifi (also, Beats music channel if you care) http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202157

Apple often has ATV3 in refurb for $75 w/same warranty as new http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/appletv

So, while $50 is decent for adding AirPlay and streaming 720p content, $75-100 will get you 1080p and a little more.

(On a similar note, the A5 processor, while it is in iPad 2 & iPad Mini (1st gen. non-retina), everything else about the iPad Mini is different, so the Mini can do AirDrop, full handoff & continuity, while the iPad 2, older board design and only has BT2.0, can't do AirDrop and some other features.) The processor is not the device. Ahem. You can find and Intel i7 processor in a PC or a Mac.

 

[Kendo]

I know I'm late to reply, but, as long as you don't care that you'll only be able to play 720p, and no more software updates, get it...

This is pretty much true, the confusion is that, while the 3 has an "A5" processor, it is only single core, thus, almost the same as an A4 (same speed mark test scores). [The main difference between A4 & A5 is single core vs dual core processor.] The ATV2 has 256MB RAM, 8GB storage, ATV3 512MB RAM, 8GB storage, so this would be main reason for 720p vs 1080p (and more features, see next para.) The 2012 ATV3 was made with a dual-core A5 processor that had one core "turned off" (same A5 could be put in various apple products). The 2013 ATV3 had a smaller single core A5 processor and other component tweaks that made it cheaper to produce and lower power consumption. (source: http://9to5mac.com/2013/03/15/impli...le-tv-lower-cost-new-a5-chip-ramping-numbers/)

That being said, the following features are only available on a new ATV3, (besides 1080p), you can continue to get software updates, initial set up via beacons (just put compatible iOS device near it (wifi & bluetooth on), it will set itself up after you enter your iTunes password on iOS device.), family sharing, and people w/iOS devices can AirPlay to it without being on your wifi (also, Beats music channel if you care) http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202157

Apple often has ATV3 in refurb for $75 w/same warranty as new http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/appletv

So, while $50 is decent for adding AirPlay and streaming 720p content, $75-100 will get you 1080p and a little more.

(On a similar note, the A5 processor, while it is in iPad 2 & iPad Mini (1st gen. non-retina), everything else about the iPad Mini is different, so the Mini can do AirDrop, full handoff & continuity, while the iPad 2, older board design and only has BT2.0, can't do AirDrop and some other features.) The processor is not the device. Ahem. You can find and Intel i7 processor in a PC or a Mac.

Thanks for the informative post. But the main reason people want the Apple TV 2 is for its ability to jailbreak. That is why it goes for upwards of $200 in the used market (eBay and Amazon Marketplace).