Should you buy an obsolete Apple TV?

This should probably go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway: We can’t recommend you purchase technology that is considered “obsolete” or that has entered a phase called “end of life.” . Even if it is cheap. Even if it’s a “deal”. Even if – or especially because – it has been renovated. This applies to almost any technology. But specifically, in this case, we’re referring to older Apple TV models.

Here’s the deal: The current Apple TV 4K, last refreshed in late 2022, starts at $129. (You should just go ahead and spend the extra $20 to get Ethernet and double the storage, plus support for the Matter smart home standard.) We still think it’s, pound for pound, the best streaming device out there. Believe that you can buy. And that’s before you even get into other things.

We recently saw a deal posted for a refurbished third-generation Apple TV on sale for $35. That model (A1427 to be precise) was released in March 2012. Here’s our review from then. It was updated in January 2013 and added support for AirPlay and used less power. The third generation model was discontinued in October 2016. That doesn’t mean it can’t work today. The Apple TV hardware is remarkably robust, even though this model doesn’t support 4K resolution.

You shouldn’t buy a 12-year-old Apple TV, even if it’s on sale.

The first three generations of Apple TV are now considered obsolete. (Here’s a handy list.) This means that “Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products, and service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products.”

This is just on the hardware side. You also need to consider software. Only the 2015 Apple TV HD and 2017, 2021, and 2022 Apple TV 4K models are running the current software. (And, importantly, it also means security improvements.)

You should not buy an obsolete 12-year-old Apple TV that has unsupported hardware and unsupported software. Even if it’s on sale, and especially if it’s been refurbished.

There are better ways you could spend that $35. Or even $50 or so, if you can’t afford the premium commanded by Apple TV 4K. The new Amazon Fire TV 4K Max is great for $60. the same goes for Chromecast with Google TV, at $50. (or, hell, $30 if you don’t need 4K resolution.) And Roku still exists with plenty of existing hardware that will get the job done for less than $100.

Unless you have a specific reason – like you’re a collector or really need it for some reason – don’t keep a 12-year-old, obsolete, unsupported device in your home. You can do better work for the same money.