Apple TV (Original/1st Gen) Specs
Identifiers: Apple TV - MA711LL/A* - AppleTV1,1 - A1218 - 2123
All Apple TV Models | All 2007 Models
Download: PDF Manual
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).
Also see: What exactly is Apple TV? Is it a television? Is it a Mac?
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| Introduction Date: |
January 9, 2007* |
Discontinued Date: |
September 1, 2010* |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" generally refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
This model was first revealed as a "vaporware" prototype dubbed "iTV" on September 12, 2006, but formally released as a product on January 9, 2007. It actually shipped on March 21, 2007.
*The 40 GB configuration was discontinued on September 14, 2009.
Also see: All Macs introduced in 2007. |
| Processors: |
1 |
Geekbench: |
812 |
| Details: |
This model only is compatible with the 32-bit Geekbench 2 benchmark. Geekbench 2 benchmarks reflect results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. Individual user-submitted benchmarks can vary, but an average can be useful to get an idea of the relative performance of different Apple devices. You also might be interested in combing through all Geekbench user-submissions for Apple devices with the AppleTV1,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench results from different Macs side-by-side, please see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Processor Speed: |
1.0 GHz |
Processor Type: |
Pentium M* |
| Details: |
*Apple only formally states that the Apple TV has an "Intel processor". However, in an excellent "dissection" that should be read in its entirety, the well-respected AnandTech believes that the Apple TV most likely has an "Ultra Low Voltage Pentium M based on the Dothan core, running at 1 GHz, 400 MHz FSB [frontside bus] and a 2 MB L2 cache". |
| Processor Upgrade: |
Soldered |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
The processor in this Apple TV is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. |
| System Bus Speed: |
400 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
1 GHz (built-in) |
| Details: |
The original Apple TV set top box has a 400 MHz frontside bus. |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
EFI |
EFI Architecture: |
32-Bit |
| Details: |
*No official information is available regarding the Apple TV firmware. However, it appears to use EFI like the Intel-based Macs. |
| L1 Cache: |
32k |
L2/L3 Cache: |
2 MB (on chip) |
| Details: |
Includes a 2 MB "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed. |
| RAM Type: |
Onboard (DDR2) |
Min. RAM Speed: |
N/A |
| Details: |
Also see: How much RAM of what type does the Apple TV support? Can it be upgraded? |
| Standard RAM: |
256 MB* |
Maximum RAM: |
256 MB |
| Motherboard RAM: |
256 MB |
RAM Slots: |
None* |
| Details: |
*Four 64 MB Nanya DDR2 memory modules are soldered to the motherboard. |
| Video Card: |
GeForce Go 7300* |
VRAM Type: |
GDDR3 SDRAM |
| Details: |
*Onboard NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 graphics processor with 64 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM.
Also see: What type of processor and video processor does the Apple TV use? Can either processor be upgraded? |
| Standard VRAM: |
64 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
64 MB |
| Details: |
The NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 video processor is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. |
| 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: |
None |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
N/A |
| Details: |
The Apple TV can only be connected to a single television. It can, however, support as many as five computers for sending content to the television. |
| 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: |
None |
Standard Disk: |
None |
| Details: |
This Apple TV does not have an internal optical drive. Consequently, it cannot play CDs or DVDs. |
| Standard Modem: |
None |
Standard Ethernet: |
10/100Base-T |
| Details: |
The original Apple TV has a "wired" 10/100Base-T Ethernet port as well as 802.11n wireless capabilities. |
| Standard AirPort: |
802.11a/b/g/n |
Standard Bluetooth: |
None |
| 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: |
None |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the single USB 2.0 port is "for service and diagnostics". |
| Expansion Slots: |
None |
Expansion Bays: |
None |
| Details: |
The Apple TV has no expansion slots or bays. It is not designed to be upgraded by end users. |
| Incl. Keyboard: |
None |
Incl. Input: |
Apple Remote* |
| Details: |
The Apple TV ships with the five button Apple Remote. It also has a single USB 2.0 port that Apple reports is "for service and diagnostics".
Also see: What can you do with the Apple TV USB port? |
| 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 |
| Details: |
*MA711LL/A was assigned to the original configuration with a 40 GB hard drive. MB189LL/A was assigned to the configuration with a 160 GB hard drive. |
| 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) |
| Details: |
These dimensions are provided in inches - height x width x depth (28 mm x 197 mm x 197 mm). |
| 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).
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
Global original prices for the Apple TV (Original/1st Gen) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.
For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Original Prices - North & South America
| Canada: |
C$349, C$449 |
Brazil: |
N/A |
| Mexico: |
N/A |
United States: |
US$299 |
Original Prices - Europe
| Austria: |
N/A |
Belgium: |
€299 |
| Denmark: |
DKK 2,299 |
Finland: |
€179 |
| France: |
€299 |
Germany: |
€299 |
| Luxembourg: |
N/A |
Netherlands: |
€299 |
| Norway: |
NOK 2.590 |
Portugal: |
N/A |
| Spain: |
€289 |
Sweden: |
SEK 2.795 |
| Switzerland: |
CHF 429, 579 |
United Kingdom: |
£199 |
Original Prices - Asia
| China: |
N/A |
Hong Kong: |
N/A |
| India: |
Rs 18,400, 23,000 |
Indonesia: |
N/A |
| Japan: |
¥36,800, ¥49,800 |
Korea: |
N/A |
| Malaysia: |
N/A |
The Philippines: |
N/A |
| Singapore: |
N/A |
Taiwan: |
N/A |
| Thailand: |
N/A |
Vietnam: |
N/A |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
| Australia: |
A$449, A$579 |
New Zealand: |
NZ$498, NZ$659 |
If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the Apple TV models follow.
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1 (HDMI), 1 (Component)* 
None 
1 (2.0)
None
None
1 (RJ-45)
None
None
2*
None
None
N/A
1
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