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Wednesday, September 29, 2010, 04:05 pm
Apple TV teardown finds 8GB of storage, 256MB of RAM
A look inside the newly released Apple TV has discovered that the device, powered by Apple's custom A4 processor, includes a small 8GB of onboard storage and the same 256MB of RAM found in the iPad and fourth-generation iPod touch.iFixit wasted no time digging inside Apple's set top box upgrade Wednesday, and offers a peek inside the hardware, which is a quarter the size of its predecessor. Inside, they found its limited storage capacity, much smaller than its predecessor due to the streaming-centric nature of the new Apple TV.
The new Apple TV uses a Samsung K9LCG08U1M 8GB NAND Flash chip, which is the same part found during the site's iPad teardown. The memory is likely used to cache content that is being streamed.
"This is a pretty remarkable amount of storage for a $99 device," the solutions provider wrote.
Interestingly, logic board on the hardware shows solder pads that would fit an iPod 30-pin dock connector, perhaps implying what could come in future versions of the hardware.
"This Apple TV seems to be a couple of connectors shy of a full-on computer," they wrote. "Perhaps this logic board will be used in future iPads?"
Other findings from the teardown:
- The A4 processor is marked K4X2G643GE, which is identical to the processor found in the first-generation iPad and fourth-generation iPod touch. The iPhone 4, however, has a different chip with 512MB of onboard RAM.
- The internal Wi-Fi board is from Panasonic, which might be the first time the company has supplied a Wi-Fi board for an Apple device. Panasonic is, however, usually responsible for optical drives in the Mac maker's notebooks.
- The Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chip is the same part found inside the iPad: BCM4329XKUBG 802.11n. It also includes an FM radio, which is not used by the device.
- iFixit graded the new Apple TV with a score of 8 out of possible 10 for ease of repairability. The one mark against it is that the electronics are housed on one singular board.
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Previous Comments View All
8 gigs of onboard memory would seem to put to rest the idea that even a jail broken Apple TV would have nowhere to put any additional stuff.
Now, here's the question-- Apple obviously didn't design the thing to accommodate jail breakers, so what's all that memory for, in a streaming only device? Seems like total overkill for buffering, and we know the iOS footprint is minimal.
So what?
Just a correction - Apple A4 Part Number Marking is 339S0084.
K4X2G643GE is designation of Samsung DRAM die inside A4 module.
Quote:
Originally Posted by addabox 
8 gigs of onboard memory would seem to put to rest the idea that even a jail broken Apple TV would have nowhere to put any additional stuff.
Now, here's the question-- Apple obviously didn't design the thing to accommodate jail breakers, so what's all that memory for, in a streaming only device? Seems like total overkill for buffering, and we know the iOS footprint is minimal.
So what?
8 gigs of onboard memory would seem to put to rest the idea that even a jail broken Apple TV would have nowhere to put any additional stuff.
Now, here's the question-- Apple obviously didn't design the thing to accommodate jail breakers, so what's all that memory for, in a streaming only device? Seems like total overkill for buffering, and we know the iOS footprint is minimal.
So what?
it takes into account that quality of the videos will improve in the lifecycle of the device : 2-3 years.
8GB is what you would need to stream 1080p.
Quote:
Originally Posted by addabox
8 gigs of onboard memory would seem to put to rest the idea that even a jail broken Apple TV would have nowhere to put any additional stuff.
Now, here's the question-- Apple obviously didn't design the thing to accommodate jail breakers, so what's all that memory for, in a streaming only device? Seems like total overkill for buffering, and we know the iOS footprint is minimal.
So what?
8 gigs of onboard memory would seem to put to rest the idea that even a jail broken Apple TV would have nowhere to put any additional stuff.
Now, here's the question-- Apple obviously didn't design the thing to accommodate jail breakers, so what's all that memory for, in a streaming only device? Seems like total overkill for buffering, and we know the iOS footprint is minimal.
So what?
Is it really excessive? HD video creates large files and I'd assume there is some ability to fast forward and fast reverse in your rented movie or TV show.
Quote:
Originally Posted by addabox
8 gigs of onboard memory would seem to put to rest the idea that even a jail broken Apple TV would have nowhere to put any additional stuff.
Now, here's the question-- Apple obviously didn't design the thing to accommodate jail breakers, so what's all that memory for, in a streaming only device? Seems like total overkill for buffering, and we know the iOS footprint is minimal.
So what?
8 gigs of onboard memory would seem to put to rest the idea that even a jail broken Apple TV would have nowhere to put any additional stuff.
Now, here's the question-- Apple obviously didn't design the thing to accommodate jail breakers, so what's all that memory for, in a streaming only device? Seems like total overkill for buffering, and we know the iOS footprint is minimal.
So what?
They're obviously going to do an App Store at some point. Even the iPhone didn't launch with one.
They probably get a pretty good price on 8 GB chips too, considering how much they buy (3GS, touch, nano). Outside of the shuffle and iPad (although the iPad could use two 8 GB chips), it is basically their go to "low" capacity option.
Guesses on the amount of time someone attaches a screen, installs the iPad software, then packages it all into a netbook housing? 
It sounds remotely possible. Hackinpads here we come!
Quote:
Originally Posted by addabox
8 gigs of onboard memory would seem to put to rest the idea that even a jail broken Apple TV would have nowhere to put any additional stuff.
Now, here's the question-- Apple obviously didn't design the thing to accommodate jail breakers, so what's all that memory for, in a streaming only device? Seems like total overkill for buffering, and we know the iOS footprint is minimal.
So what?
8 gigs of onboard memory would seem to put to rest the idea that even a jail broken Apple TV would have nowhere to put any additional stuff.
Now, here's the question-- Apple obviously didn't design the thing to accommodate jail breakers, so what's all that memory for, in a streaming only device? Seems like total overkill for buffering, and we know the iOS footprint is minimal.
So what?
Clearly you're lobbing one up with that question. The memory is there for Apps!!!
They placed solder points for a dock connector in there that aren't necessary for this iteration of the device, they did the same when specifying the memory. 8GB isn't necessary for what they are doing now, but with Apps...There will be a need for more.
I really like the Plex App on my iPad. How cool would Plex be on an AppleTV?
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider
"This Apple TV seems to be a couple of connectors shy of a full-on computer,"
"This Apple TV seems to be a couple of connectors shy of a full-on computer,"
<ba dah bump>
that's pretty much what we got. with HDMI and ethernet ports.
ok, jailbreakers, here is your best iOS platform yet! the world's first $99 desktop computer.
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Is the bluetooth enabled?
Edit: And apps are coming, either through jailbreak or an official app store. I can't wait to see what the developers come up with.