New Apple TV is Thinner and Weighs 50% Less With Fanless Design

[MacRumors]

The new Apple TV 4K with the A15 Bionic chip introduced today features a fanless design, resulting in the device being over 10% thinner and weighing around 50% less than the previous-generation Apple TV 4K.

Apple's tech specs indicate the new Apple TV 4K is 1.2 inches tall, compared to 1.4 inches for the previous model. The new Apple TV weighs between 208 and 214 grams depending on whether you purchase the Wi-Fi-only model or the Ethernet model, whereas the previous model is significantly heavier at 425 grams.

"The efficiency gains of A15 Bionic eliminate the need for an internal fan, resulting in a more compact design and contributing to a 25 percent reduction in carbon footprint over the previous generation," said Apple, in a press release announcing the device. The previous Apple TV 4K is equipped with a metal fan for active cooling purposes.

The new Apple TV 4K is available to order beginning today and launches Friday, November 4 in the U.S. and more than 30 other countries, with starting pricing lowered to $129. Key new features include the A15 Bionic chip, HDR10+ support, up to 128GB of storage, and an updated Siri Remote with a USB-C port for charging.

Article Link: New Apple TV is Thinner and Weighs 50% Less With Fanless Design

 

[MayaUser]

hope its not overheating

 

[alexandr]

Thank god, I'm so tired of my current Apple TV being so damn heavy!

 

[goobot]

How tall were the 2nd and 3rd gen in comparison tho

 

[TheDailyApple]

I don't see this as an improvement. Weight and height are mostly irrelevant in a stationary device. On the other hand, the greater performance a fan provides is actually worth something. Maybe Apple is planning a Apple TV Gaming edition and doesn't want their standard model encroaching on performance.

(Though since an Apple TV Console would use M series chips, I wouldn't think the standard model would compete with it anyway.)

 

[fakestrawberryflavor]

Had no idea the previous ones had fans at all. Seems like it could have used just a big heat sink and passively cooled them, seeing is they are just iPhone chips which are also passively cooled..

 

[ghostface147]

Meanwhile I'm still rocking a used Apple TV HD for my 720p tv in my bedroom. Maybe I'll get a newer tv one day.

 

[BSoares]

Never noticed my Apple TVs had fans. I guess they must be super quiet or never run.

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

I’m glad that the new ATV is thinner and lighter, it’s such a hassle to carry the old one in my jeans pocket.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Starting at £150 in U.K. Not exactly a generous saving haha.

 

[fwmireault]

I don't see this as an improvement. Weight and height are mostly irrelevant in a stationary device. On the other hand, the greater performance a fan provides is actually worth something. Maybe Apple is planning a Apple TV Gaming edition and doesn't want their standard model encroaching on performance.

I agree, it seems like removing the fan is a signal that this model will not be focused on gaming, and something else may be coming

 

[0924487]

I don't see this as an improvement. Weight and height are mostly irrelevant in a stationary device. On the other hand, the greater performance a fan provides is actually worth something. Maybe Apple is planning a Apple TV Gaming edition and doesn't want their standard model encroaching on performance.

(Though since an Apple TV Console would use M series chips, I wouldn't think the standard model would compete with it anyway.)

It’s to save cost. See the price drop?

 

[Wildkraut]

50% less weight is a very important feature for a device that is 100% of its lifetime sitting on a sideboard, totally worth to mention it prominently on the headline.

 

[Killbynumbers]

I see no reason to buy a new one when my current 4K ATV is doing everything I need it to do.

 

[OhMyMy]

Thank god, I'm so tired of my current Apple TV being so damn heavy!

Then be like me and not carry it in your pocket

 

[PauloSera]

That's still very concerning for lots of types of installations. It's great that the A15 is efficient enough to not need a fan, but what about when the Apple TV is installed behind a TV or in a cabinet or any of the myriad of ways people normally hook this up where ventilation is low?

 

[waloshin]

Cool apples way of cutting down shipping costs…

 

[turbineseaplane]

Weighing less is actually a downgrade in a stationary device that has cables coming out of it (which can pull on it).

 

[bookcase]

Give me one that would get my large iTunes library to load faster and I'll buy it.

 

[Benjamin Nabulsi]

they think people have it pretty sitting on a table. TV and other devices radiate heat, why make it passive cooling and risk it?! This one is a step back

 

[waloshin]

That's still very concerning for lots of types of installations. It's great that the A15 is efficient enough to not need a fan, but what about when the Apple TV is installed behind a TV or in a cabinet or any of the myriad of ways people normally hook this up where ventilation is low?

Are you serious? Do iPads have fans, do iPhones need fans?

 

[alexandr]

Then be like me and not carry it in your pocket

I carry it on my fedora.

 

[gammamonk]

It's cliché, but this is the one I've been waiting for. Speed and formfactor first, pricing second. It's still not priced competitively, but it's close enough I can overlook it for the QoL improvements over Roku's offerings.

I like our Rokus, but they're slow and AirPlay has ~500ms latency which is horrible for anything other than screen mirroring.

 

[alexandr]

Are you serious? Do iPads have fans, do iPhones need fans?

No... but the ATV apparently did...

 

[fromgophonetoiphone]

How often did the old ones have their fans kick in? I didn't even realize there was a fan in my 4th gen one. I guess I'm not a power/heavy user.