Apple TV (Original/1st Gen)

Description
Reviews

The Apple TV (Original/1st Gen) -- also referred to as Apple tv, codenamed "iTV" and not to be confused with the Mac TV from yesteryear -- is a compact "set top box" that makes it possible to wirelessly "stream" iTunes content -- "music, audiobooks, videos, TV shows, and movies" -- from as many as five Macs or PCs to an enhanced-definition or HD TV.

It is powered by an officially unspecified "Intel processor" -- a 1 GHz "Dothan" Pentium M -- and equipped with 256 MB of onboard DDR2 SDRAM and a 40 GB or 160 GB hard drive "for storing content locally" (160 GB hard drive option available starting May 30, 2007, 40 GB option discontinued September 14, 2009).

Configured with a 40 GB hard drive, Apple reports that it can hold up to 50 hours of movies and TV shows (at H.264 1.5-Mbps video at 640x480 with 128-Kbps audio, 720p maximum), up to 9,000 songs (assuming songs are 4 minutes long and encoded in 128-Kbps AAC), and up to 25,000 "Apple TV viewable photos transferred from iTunes". Configured with a 160 GB hard drive, Apple reports that the system holds up to 200 hours of video, up to 36,000 songs, or up to 25,000 photos using the same formats.

Connectivity includes HDMI, component video and audio, optical audio, 10/100Base-T Ethernet, and a single USB 2.0 port "for service and diagnostics" -- and hacking -- as well as 802.11n wireless networking.

The Apple TV requires a Mac running MacOS X 10.3.9 or higher or a PC running Windows XP Home or Professional (SP2) either with a copy of iTunes 7.1 or higher, a wireless network (802.11g or 802.11n for wireless video streaming) or a 10/100Base-T Ethernet network, as well as an enhanced-definition or high-definition widescreen television (starting January 15, 2008, Apple unveiled a software update that made it possible to rent movies directly from the Apple TV without using a separate computer).

Introduction Date:

January 9, 2007*

Discontinued Date:

September 1, 2010*

Processors:

Geekbench:

Processor Speed:

1.0 GHz

Processor Type:

Pentium M*

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

Integrated

System Bus Speed:

400 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

1 GHz (built-in)

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI Architecture:

32-Bit

L1 Cache:

L2/L3 Cache:

2 MB (on chip)

RAM Type:

Onboard (DDR2)

Min. RAM Speed:

Standard RAM:

256 MB*

Maximum RAM:

256 MB

Details:

*The internal memory in the Apple TV is onboard and cannot be upgraded.

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

Motherboard RAM:

256 MB

RAM Slots:

None*

Video Card:

GeForce Go 7300*

VRAM Type:

GDDR3 SDRAM

Standard VRAM:

64 MB

Maximum VRAM:

64 MB

Display Support:

Single Display*

Native Resolution:

Multiple*

Details:

The Apple TV requires an "enhanced-definition or high-definition widescreen TV capable of 1080i 50/50Hz, 720p 60/50Hz, 576p 50Hz (PAL format), or 480p 60Hz".

Also see: What types of television supports Apple TV? Is Apple TV compatible with HDTV and SDTV?

2nd Display Support:

2nd Max. Resolution:

Standard Storage:

40, 160 GB HDD*

Storage Interface:

IDE/PATA*

Details:

*Starting on May 30, 2007, Apple began offering the 160 GB configuration and discontinued the 40 GB configuration on September 14, 2009.

Also see: What type of hard drive does the Apple TV use? 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 (2.0)

Firewire Ports:

Expansion Slots:

Expansion Bays:

Incl. Keyboard:

Incl. Input:

Apple Remote*

Case Type:

Cuboid

Form Factor:

Apple TV

Details:

The original Apple TV has a gray, relatively tiny 7.7 inch by 7.7 inch, 1.1 inch tall case.

Apple Order No:

MA711LL/A*

Apple Subfamily:

Apple TV

Apple Model No:

A1218 (EMC 2123)

Model ID:

AppleTV1,1

Details:

These identifiers are unique to this specific Apple TV.

Also see: All Apple devices with the A1218 Model Number, the 2123 EMC Number, and the AppleTV1,1 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:

X 10.4.7 (8N5107)*

Maximum OS:

X 10.4.7 (8N5107)*

Details:

*No "official" information is available regarding the Apple TV operating system, but it is clear that it runs a "stripped down" version of Mac OS X. MacWorld reported specifically that it runs a varient of Mac OS X 10.4.7 (8N5107).

Dimensions:

1.1 x 7.7 x 7.7

Avg. Weight:

2.4 lbs. (1.09 kg)

Original Price (US):

US$299

Est. Current Retail:

US$25-US$50

Details:

*Starting May 30, 2007, the Apple TV was available with the original 40 GB hard drive for US$299 or a 160 GB hard drive for US$399. On January 15, 2008, Apple cut the price of the 40 GB model to US$229 and the 160 GB model to US$329. On September 14, 2009, Apple discontinued the 40 GB configuration and reduced the price of the 160 GB configuration to US$229.

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).