Apple TV dissected

While the rest of you are out there playing with your Apple TV, we sucked it up and put ours on the line to take it apart and see what makes it tick. As expected, the Apple TV uses a standard IDE laptop hard drive, a very small internal power supply, a upgradeable removable WiFi radio, Nvidia GPU, and an indeterminate Intel processor. While we couldn't tell exactly what it was, we can guarantee that it wasn't a Core Duo or even a Pentium M ULV or the like, but there was no doubt it was an Intel. Internally it reminds us of a squished Mini and shares some of the same components. The case acts as an antenna for the WiFi and as part of a interesting ventilation system to keep things cool and quiet. The fan is suspended by some rubber feet which was giving us trouble getting them back in, until we found some good use for the floss our mother bought us for Christmas.

Gallery: Apple TV dissected

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[CapWKidd @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:01PM]

Sweet! 1st comment.... ok, 1st upgrade for this... 200gb HD :)!

[Jeff @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:03PM]

Ah, the "packing tape" internal construction method. Now that's quality. Yeah, that'll last, oh, at least four or five months before falling apart.

[Peter @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:36PM]

ummm... Jeff, I believe, like in all other Apple products, that the tape is just to hold down various wires to keep the inside neat and clutter-free.

-Peter

[Curtis @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:24PM]

Don't drop it! :)


As a someone who has actually ordered an Applet TV (should arrive tommorrow), I'm only concerned by the fact that you guys couldn't identify the Intel processor.

I mean seriously. I am a Mac Fan, but Apple does tend to go over board on style and short change function/performance.

[Jerry @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:37PM]

Now the question is:
How much internal ram does the device have?
How fast is the processor?
What will it take to install Linux/Windows on the device? :-)

[elan @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:47PM]

Jerry is asking the same questions as myself... we need answers! :D

[Andrew @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:47PM]

I can see realtek sound :(

[Kev50027 @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:53PM]

Oh wow, the inside to something that does nothing. How does it manage to cost so much yet do nothing? By using the latest do nothing components of course, and by using the allure of a white plastic box with a little fruit on the top. For all the fruits out there, this is for you.

[The Engineering Student @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:58PM]

I'm actually kind of disappointed I cant afford one right now. I'd buy it and a larger harddrive and try to hackify more storage into it. Anyone done it yet? Also, to the guy who made the crack about the tape: Apple doesnt usually make shoddy products. Say what you will about the raw power of them, but they are generally very stable and a pleasure to use. I'm sure the Apple TV is no exception, although if one already has a laptop and Frontrow/Media Center, it seems a bit useless... Same goes for those who have xBox 360's. Put whatever games you want on Apple TV, it will never measure up. Still, though, an interesting toy and one I wouldnt mind owning if I had the cash laying around.

[Alex @ Mar 23rd 2007 12:08AM]

I have never seen a chip as large as that.... i don't think it is any sort of pentium or core duo/solo processor... this may actually be a custom x86 chip special for apple.

[Jim @ Mar 23rd 2007 12:15AM]

I picked one up tonight (along with adigital audio and component video cables from the Best Buy across the street from the Apple Store - pissed!!!). I like it so far and was surprised that it actually streams video without skipping (at least that I've noticed so far) over my 802.11b wireless router. I was thinking that I would need to pick up a g or new AirPort Extreme.

I took some time and synced a few hundred photos to it and that did take a while (probably my wireless speed). I'm a little disappointed at the effects that you can work with for slideshows but I'm still playing around with it. There are also only a total of 3 visualizers for the unit (Apple logo, Photo Slideshow and Album Cover). I'm pretty disappointed with that. I used to have a "6' solution" (S-Video cable + analog audio cable from my video card to my widescreen TV) for iTunes music that never worked exactly right but did the trick and I was able to watch sweet iTunes visualizers with that setup. I'm assuming that the video card (if there is one) isn't that great in this thing?

The only thing that gives me hope is a setting in the Apple TV menu for "update software". I'm also disappointed that you can't exactly surf the iTunes Store but can only look at the "Top" movie trailers, movies, songs and music videos (about 10-20 apiece). I was looking forward to watching the trailer for "Hot Fuzz" but they didn't have it listed. Only TMNT and Blades of Glory (and others).

Anyways, that's my $.02. I'm still figuring this thing out.

[Kev50027 @ Mar 23rd 2007 12:34AM]

This would make an excellent step for accessing the top of your TV.. you would need a couple of them though. It would also be useful for throwing at the Mongols when they attack the Shitty Wall.

[rageahol @ Mar 23rd 2007 12:34AM]

ONLY with apple products do "hacks" include SWAPPING OUT THE FUCKING HARD DRIVE.

[Ayal Rosenthal @ Mar 23rd 2007 12:40AM]

I'm still waiting for something that'll work will with HDTV files.

[The Engineering Student @ Mar 23rd 2007 12:50AM]

ONLY people like "rageahol" miss the obvious sarcasm in the word "hackify" and then imply that Apple users are of inferior intelligence.

[Carl M @ Mar 23rd 2007 1:01AM]

Please repeat after me:

I *will* learn how to use the macro focus capability of my digital camera.

I *will* learn how to use the macro focus capability of my digital camera.

[dan @ Mar 23rd 2007 1:05AM]

For those asking about specs, I pulled these from wikipedia...

- Intel Pentium-M "Crofton" Processor[1] (based on Pentium-M "Dothan")
- 1.0 GHz
- 2 MB of L2 cache
- 350 MHz underclocked system bus
- NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 (64 MB VRAM)
- 256 MB of 400 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
- 40 GB hard disk

[jedda @ Mar 23rd 2007 9:36AM]

I know it is not exactly the same thing. But I just bought for $50 a windows machine to use as a myth tv front end with a 1ghz pIII, 256MB ram, 40GB hard drive.

[Chris Anderson @ Mar 23rd 2007 1:07AM]

I'm still waiting for something that's worth a damn.

[pwfletcher @ Mar 23rd 2007 1:26AM]

Well, I just tried HD streaming and it worked flawlessly. I recorded an OTA HDTV broadcast using my El Gato hybrid, saved it as a quicktime 1280x720 HD file, dropped it in to iTunes, and streamed it to the Apple TV playing on my 44" 720P HDTV. I must say ... IT LOOKED SPECTACULAR. I am a bit surprised given the specs of the ATV. No dropped frames, no glitches, no hiccups. If they offer HD movies on iTunes, they are going to look great!

The downside ... it took FOREVER to convert the 4 minute HD clip.

[Des @ Mar 28th 2007 5:08AM]

For converting movies for Apple TV, try using VisualHub. It transcodes video much faster than QuickTime Pro.

[jevaun @ Mar 23rd 2007 1:47AM]

Please, somebody swap out the hard drive and let me know how that goes. I'm looking for the all-content-in-one-place solution. It's a shame that 40GB is all we get for $300...

[CapWKidd @ Mar 23rd 2007 1:49AM]

On the drive home, I realized, would be sweet to connect the Apple TV to my car's stereo (with a 200 GB HD of course), and use my navigation's screen as a monitor... I know there is an optional video input... hmmm.... and it could sync with my PC ... from my parking space! Hehe...

[DM @ Mar 23rd 2007 1:55AM]

What a piece of junk that is.

[Taylor Martyn @ Mar 23rd 2007 2:07AM]

I'm wondering if a hack will be possible for the USB slot. Also, are you willing to try out a bigger HD. Please do it!!!!. I'm sure it's no big deal. That would probably be the first thing I'd do with my Apple TV if there's no way to hack it to use an ext USB HD.

[Deezee @ Mar 23rd 2007 3:50AM]

What an impressive piece of machinery this Apple TV. Absolutely astonishing.

[rj @ Mar 23rd 2007 8:43AM]

yeah... it's amazing what 100$ worth of hardware will bring u.

[spaceman @ Mar 23rd 2007 8:23AM]

PATA? Have they never heard of SATA? A battery to keep the BIOS/Clock going? So people will be sending back their boxes in 5 years then!

[Deezee @ Mar 23rd 2007 2:42PM]

LOL and all for the low low price of $300.

[Bigolg @ Mar 23rd 2007 8:57AM]

We used that same tape on missiles for the Marines, that is some good tape. Seriously.

[Christian Martin @ Mar 23rd 2007 8:59AM]

Quick, someone register smashmyappletv.com!

[Justin @ Mar 23rd 2007 10:11AM]

I saw a demo of a LinuxMCE install (Ubuntu + MythTV)... and it looks like this would be the perfect client device for it. Will it run Linux?

[Greenline @ Mar 23rd 2007 12:17PM]

I am a die-hard Mac fan but I have to admit I have seen better looking insides on Other Apple products i.e. newer iMacs. Oh and this guys can't take a good picture to save his life.

[frenky @ Mar 23rd 2007 1:08PM]

i did some digging thought intel web site... best guess is an intel pentium m processor... maybe a custom made design.... but nomenclature on processor indicates a pentium m series...

the full designation on cpu reads:
7655A966 0159
INTEL m c '04
SL9NY

the fires three numbers indicate a pentium m series, last three may indicate a working freq....
second line indicates a bit older product as it is copyrighted to 2004...
and the last line may also indicate a pentium m series do to used identification... witch starts with SL - used in pentium m nomenclature.....

so installing other oses on it may be possible...

the realtake sound is not so big problem... this chips are solid... and a hdtv uses digital audio, if i'm not mistaking....

[Jun @ Mar 23rd 2007 3:09PM]

YOU guys are real world Sylar!

[nike @ Mar 23rd 2007 6:17PM]

Open secret...Apple TV is a joke. stick to iPods...even i'll admit thats all theyre good at.

[Russell @ Mar 28th 2007 6:30PM]

No Codecs No Care!

[manidest @ May 15th 2007 9:43AM]

I don't think the case is acting as a wi-fi antenna. The copper tape is likely covering the point where the coax crosses through the case. The antennas likely sit on the other side of that indent. The tape is likely there for shielding purposes. Either to prevent the device from causing static on other devices or to prevent those devices from corrupting Apple TVs video and audio signals.

Hey E.M.