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Following the release of the third-generation Apple TV late last week, one forum member at XBMC.org has performed a teardown of the device, revealing a number of details about its internals.

As Apple notes on the tech specs page for the new Apple TV, the device utilizes a unique single-core A5 system-on-a-chip, an upgrade from the A4 package found in the previous generation but lacking the dual-core processor found in the A5 chip used in the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S. The Apple TV teardown reveals a typical-looking A5 chip at first glance, carrying date codes suggesting it was manufactured during the seventh week of 2012, or mid-February.

apple_tv_3_board.jpg
The processor inside the new Apple TV's A5 package is identified as APL2498, indicating a variation on the APL0498 processor found in the standard dual-core A5. The part number for the RAM included in the chip suggests that it is a 512 MB chip from Hynix, a boost from the 256 MB of RAM found in the A4 package on the previous-generation Apple TV.

As for flash storage, the format of the part number stamped on the chip implies that it is an 8 GB part from Toshiba, meaning that the device carries the same storage capacity as found in the previous-generation model. Given that the Apple TV is a streaming-only device, on-board storage is only required to support the operating system and buffering of streaming content.

There had been some speculation that Apple could boost the on-board storage in order to handle larger 1080p content supported on the updated model, but it appears that Apple still views 8 GB as sufficient given limited increases in file size for 1080p content. Maintaining 8 GB of on-board storage undoubtedly also helps Apple maintain the $99 pricing on the Apple TV given other improvements such as the A5 chip.

Finally, the new Apple TV appears to contain a second antenna that was not present in the previous-generation model, although it is unclear exactly how the new antenna is being used to improve performance.

Article Link: Teardown of New Apple TV Reveals Same 8 GB Flash Storage, Bump to 512 MB RAM
 
I for one am amazed Apple can pack this much technology inside a box and still sell it for under 100 bucks.
 
The people that were holding out for a fullhd atv should get this one. But people who already have one are not going to be pushed to swap theirs.

This isn't really a significant upgrade like the the new iPad. And I can't believe it still doesn't have gigabit ethernet! Must be expensive:eek:
 
for $99

It's pretty nice for $99. It's gonna be amazing to see when the real Apple Tv comes out. Going from $99 to $2,999 is a topic starter for any kind of conversation.
 
I for one am amazed Apple can pack this much technology inside a box and still sell it for under 100 bucks.

This. ...and truly, the Apple TV is an incredible amount of computing power for a hundred bucks. I could see using a jailbreak to repurpose these for a myriad of purposes, especially since it's essentially entirely solid-state.
 
I bought one this afternoon, and it is worth noting that this generation DOES support 5GHz 802.11n. (The 2nd gen supported N, but only 2.4GHz.)
 
Not going to lie, I like the new Apple TV too, but I really enjoy my Roku 2 XS. The Roku may not have the slickest interface, but it offers alot of content. :)
 
second antenna is either a dedicated 5ghz antenna, or a second dual band 2.4/5ghz antenna and the apple tv supports 300mhz 5ghz.
 
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