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Offered a 2nd hand apple tv box but serial and model number dont match

FyerFyer

FyerFyer

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 14, 2015
370
85
Hi guys

Ive been offered a 2nd hand apple tv kit but the model number and serial seem all messed up. The seller is saying it is 2nd gen but when i search its showing 3rd gen, also web results are mainly in Chinese, could really do with some help for this one as im not sure im looking it up right.

Ive attached the sellers photo with all numbers etc so any advice would be great
 

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He thinks it's a second generation device, but it's really third generation. That's a good deal for you. What kind of advice do you need?
 
chabig said:
He thinks it's a second generation device, but it's really third generation. That's a good deal for you. What kind of advice do you need?
Click to expand...

Well the model number doesnt match the serial number. In addition, as I already have Chromecast and Firestick, can I still use it?
 
Everything says third generation AppleTV. That's probably what it is.
 
Thanks guys

Before I buy it is there anything else I should check? Does it need to be signed out of etc...?

Also, does the GB size make any significant difference? Ill be honest Im just buying this for AirPlay but why would I use any bigger GB size?
 
Mr_Brightside_@ said:
Apple TV 3 doesn't have activation lock, and only one size internal storage (which can't be used anyway).
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Oh ok, thanks, in that case do you recommend it over the older versions? Are there advantages for having a big storage?
 
FyerFyer said:
Oh ok, thanks, in that case do you recommend it over the older versions? Are there advantages for having a big storage?
Click to expand...
Considering you can't download apps with the Apple TV 3rd gen, the internal storage is a bit irrelevant. On the 4th gen, you can download apps and games, so it can fill up fast.
 
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The more i learn about Apple TV the worse it seems.

Tbh i just installed an app on Firestick that can use AirPlay so i might leave it for now.

In case im missing something, why is Apple tv so much more expensive than its competitors?
 
FyerFyer said:
In case im missing something, why is Apple tv so much more expensive than its competitors?
Click to expand...
It's not that much more expensive than competing streaming devices. It has the most features, the interface is much smoother, and it has the most powerful hardware of all the streaming devices. I wouldn't bother with the 3rd gen Apple TV because it is complete and utter crap compared to the 4th gen 4K Apple TV. The differences are night and day. The 4K Apple TV is pretty awesome and I have several of them in my house. I have a 4K Roku TV in another room because it's what I had waiting for Apple's new device to be released. It's okay, but the interface sucks and is quite clunky compared to Apple TV. The 3rd gen feels like a relic compared to the new one. Apple doesn't support the old one anymore either, while the new one gets continued updates. I've used the Amazon Fire devices as well as Chromecast Ultra, and none of them hold a candle to the new Apple TV, IMO.
 
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Spoon! said:
It's not that much more expensive than competing streaming devices. It has the most features, the interface is much smoother, and it has the most powerful hardware of all the streaming devices. I wouldn't bother with the 3rd gen Apple TV because it is complete and utter crap compared to the 4th gen 4K Apple TV. The differences are night and day. The 4K Apple TV is pretty awesome and I have several of them in my house. I have a 4K Roku TV in another room because it's what I had waiting for Apple's new device to be released. It's okay, but the interface sucks and is quite clunky compared to Apple TV. The 3rd gen feels like a relic compared to the new one. Apple doesn't support the old one anymore either, while the new one gets continued updates. I've used the Amazon Fire devices as well as Chromecast Ultra, and none of them hold a candle to the new Apple TV, IMO.
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Ok, Ill bear that in mind then. Now I have this software on the firestick Ill probably wait it out

Thanks!
 
FyerFyer said:
Ok, Ill bear that in mind then. Now I have this software on the firestick Ill probably wait it out

Thanks!
Click to expand...

What program are you using for airplay on the firestick? I’ve tried a few but haven’t found one that works well yet.
 
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se95dah said:
What program are you using for airplay on the firestick? I’ve tried a few but haven’t found one that works well yet.
Click to expand...

There are quite a few actually. If you search AirPlay I believe its called AirScreen.

Bit laggy but itll do for what i need
 
Don't want to sound a bit silly, but how much are you actually paying for an old gen 3 ATV? It's not like we are talking a premium product for a used 4th get ATV never mind a recon or even new 4K version?
 
chabig said:
Isn’t that true if every device ever made?
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I can't speak for every device but all of my devices (iPads, MacBooks, iPhones, TVs, and Windows laptops) have never exerienced a wi-fi chip failure.

I have a 2nd gen ATV that is still going strong.

I have not heard of an Apple replacement program for other generations Apple TVs. Unfortunately, my 3rd gen wi-fi chip failed about a month after Apple ended the replacement program.
 
I was asked €60 but as mentioned ive not bothered. Ive installed a free software that works perfectly. For everything else, Chromecast and Firestick. Include a few subscriptions and it still works out cheaper.

However if Apple do release something cheaper i would consider it
 
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