Apple TV (2nd Generation)

Description
Reviews

Packed in a minute -- 3.9 inch by 3.9 inch by 0.9 inch -- black hockey puck-esq case, the Apple TV (Second Generation/Late 2010/Black) was designed to make it easy to rent movies and TV shows from Apple as well as stream movies, shows, photos and other content from a Mac, PC, iPod, iPhone or iPad all at 720p and 30 FPS (it does not support 1080p). It has built-in support for Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe streaming as well.

In a significant departure from the original Apple TV, the second generation model was made for streaming and rentals alone -- there is no advertised internal storage and no option to buy content -- but it did not require a Mac or PC for "tethering" either.

It is powered by an Apple A4 processor and runs a variant of the iOS that powers the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad models, although it does not formally run the iOS and cannot run iOS applications either. It cannot be updated beyond Apple TV Software Update 6.2.1.

Connectivity includes HDMI, optical audio, 10/100Base-T Ethernet, and a single Micro-USB port "for service and diagnostics" -- and hacking, no doubt -- as well as 802.11a/b/g/n wireless networking.

Introduction Date:

September 1, 2010*

Discontinued Date:

March 7, 2012

Processors:

Geekbench:

Processor Speed:

1 GHz*

Processor Type:

Apple A4

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

Integrated

System Bus Speed:

Cache Bus Speed:

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI Architecture:

L1 Cache:

L2/L3 Cache:

RAM Type:

Onboard

Min. RAM Speed:

Standard RAM:

256 MB*

Maximum RAM:

256 MB

Details:

*Apple does not specify the amount of RAM onboard. However, in its customary "teardown," iFixit determined that it has 256 MB of RAM onboard, just like the iPod touch (4th Gen).

Also see: How much RAM of what type does the black second generation Apple TV support? Can it be upgraded?

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

256 MB

RAM Slots:

Video Card:

VRAM Type:

Standard VRAM:

Maximum VRAM:

Display Support:

Single Display*

Native Resolution:

Multiple*

Details:

The second generation Apple TV requires a "high-definition TV with HDMI and [that is] capable of 720p 60/50Hz."

Also see: How do you connect the black second generation Apple TV to a television?

2nd Display Support:

2nd Max. Resolution:

Standard Storage:

8 GB SSD*

Storage Interface:

Details:

*Officially, the second generation Apple TV has no internal storage. However, in its customary "teardown," iFixit determined that it actually has 8 GB of flash memory to cache content during streaming. It no doubt will be used by clever hackers for onboard storage as well.

Also see: How much storage does the black second generation Apple TV contain? Can it be upgraded?

Standard Optical:

Standard Disk:

Standard Modem:

Standard Ethernet:

10/100Base-T

Standard AirPort:

802.11a/b/g/n

Standard Bluetooth:

Details:

The Apple TV has built-in support for AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n).

Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a?

USB Ports:

1 (Micro-USB)

Firewire Ports:

Expansion Slots:

Expansion Bays:

Incl. Keyboard:

Incl. Input:

Apple Remote*

Case Type:

Cuboid

Form Factor:

Apple TV (2nd Gen)

Details:

Uses a tiny 3.9 inch by 3.9 inch, 0.9 inch tall case.

Apple Order No:

MC572LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

2nd Gen

Apple Model No:

A1378 (EMC 2411)

Model ID:

AppleTV2,1

Details:

These identifiers are unique to this specific Apple TV.

Also see: All Apple devices with the A1378 Model Number, the 2411 EMC Number, and the AppleTV2,1 Model Identifier.

For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on Macs, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Pre-Installed OS:

Apple TV 4.1*

Maximum OS:

Apple TV 6.2.1*

Details:

*Apple does not formally specify what operating system the second generation Apple TV uses, but it was pre-installed with a modified version of iOS 4.1 and cannot be updated beyond Apple TV Software Update 6.2.1. It is not capable of running standard iOS applications or the later "tvOS."

Dimensions:

3.9 x 3.9 x 0.9

Avg. Weight:

0.6 lbs. (0.27 kg)

Original Price (US):

US$99

Est. Current Retail:

US$25-US$50

Details:

Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).