Apple TV

[skelstar]

(Disclaimer: if you don't like Macs then keep the neg comments to yourself please)...this isn't a brand bagging thread.

Couple of months ago Apple released a product called Apple TV. Its basically a small (naturally good looking) box/media center that sat under you TV and automatigically wirelessly sync'd with other computers in your network.

Basically if it was in your iTunes on one of your computers then it was going to be on your Apple TV too.



The Apple TV is a nice looking product, but it only has a 40GB HDD, and has a very cut down version of OSX on it. All you could do was use the remote to control it, and you can't play DivX movies (the format that naughty DVD rippers used). It doesn't have a DVD drive either. So at NZ$499 it's "OK".

....but!

Clever hackers knowing that the Apple TV had a pared-down version of OSX started liberating it. Initially they enabled the USB port on the back to allow keyboard and mouse connection. They tinkered and enabled playback of DivX encoded movies...all these hacks making Apple TV a more enticing prospect for a media center.

However, overnight someone had managed to install a full version of OSX onto it! This is a fairly big deal, and the amount of attention its getting on the net verifies this.

So the Apple Tv will run the usual Mac apps. Firefox, VLC (video player), bittorrent, Mail, anything! I uses f**k all power. Apparently much less power than the Mac Mini, and will plug into a TV/monitor using DVI-D, HDMI, Component Video etc. For NZ$499.

However, the computer (as it is now) is only a 1GHz Processor, doesn't have bluetooth support, and has 256MB of RAM. Its fairly limited but hackers are working on it fairly furiously. It seems each day there is a new development. Its actually embarrassingly fun to watch!

The latest thing they have achieved is they have booted the unit of a USB memory stick with OSX on it, and can 'upgrade' it without even opening the box.

So, thinking that I might get one and use it for DivX, iTunes, bittorrent and maybe use it as my wireless router too!

I think thats pretty trick.

[skelstar]

Should mention that www.appletvhacks.net is the place to find out all about it.

[Big Dave]

Doesn't do it for me.
Sacrificing grunt for being 'nifty'.

[skelstar]

Of course you wouldn't be using it as your main grunt machine, but if you need something low powered just ticking over in the background then it would be sweet I reckon. Besides, its friggin cheap.

[TerminalAddict]

read that article too (on april 1st btw)

but a friend of mine has just bought one with the intention of installing 10.4.9 ....
Will be nice to see how it goes

[James Deuce]

Macs suck. It happens in every PC thread I post, so tough.

[skelstar]

Yeah, reading the comments and every second one is someone claiming that it must be an AFJoke

[skelstar]

Macs suck. It happens in every PC thread I post, so tough.

...and I wouldn't expect anything less from you J2. Thanks.

[WRT]

Doesn't do it for me.
Sacrificing grunt for being 'nifty'.

Says the man that bought himself a Buell?

[Big Dave]

Says the man that bought himself a Buell?

Nah - Grunt is what it's all about - tractor like torque and the best handling going. It just happens to be nifty as well.

[Macktheknife]

Macs suck.

OI !!!!
Have you something to say to me Jim?????? lol

[Big Dave]

Of course you wouldn't be using it as your main grunt machine, but if you need something low powered just ticking over in the background then it would be sweet I reckon. Besides, its friggin cheap.

Yeah - my system already does what it does anyway. I have a wicked set up.

[Disco Dan]

yes they look great, especially for those (like me) that have stored all their multimedia electronically on the mac and the tv is a tad too far away for a tv out cable to reach!

I will wait for the price to drop a little though.

Im hanging out for an Apple iPhone Now that is an impressive piece of technology.

Once you go MAC you never go back!

[riffer]

Once you go MAC you never go back!

Not true. I went Mac in 1989. I now use Tiger, WinXP, and Fiesty Fawn.

[Big Dave]

Not true. I went Mac in 1989. I now use Tiger, WinXP, and Fiesty Fawn.

'86. IIe

Centris 610 was the first one I owned. Been making my living off them since.
Don't mind wintel boxes now either. Same results, different tool.

And I've still got OS7 machines running.