Hardware

Cracking Open the Apple TV 2012

By // March 29, 2012, 11:55 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • Apple TV 2012 teardown

    Its release may have been overshadowed by the 3rd generation iPad (launched at the same event), but the 2012 Apple TV should please fans of the Cupertino company's streaming media player.

    I cracked open the 2nd generation Apple TV in 2010 and was curious to see the new chips inside the 2012 model. Follow along as I crack open the 2012 Apple TV.

    For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Apple TV 2012 Teardown: Upgraded processor, wireless chip.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Features and price

    The 2012 Apple TV has a revamped user interface and supports 1080p video, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, iTunes, AirPlay, and Netflix. It lacks some streaming services, such as Hulu Plus, HBO Go, Amazon Instant, and Pandora. The 2012 Apple TV retails for $99 (US)

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Box contents

    Along with the actual Apple TV player, the box contains the Apple Remote, power cord, and product documentation.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Dimensions and weight

    The 2012 Apple TV weighs 0.6 pound and measures 3.9" (wide) x 3.9" (deep) x 0.9" (high). Its overall design (both inside and out) is identical to the 2010 Apple TV.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Ports

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: 1st generation vs 3rd generation

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Bottom

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Removing the bottom cover

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Internal hardware

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Disconnecting the power supply from the motherboard

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Removing the power supply screws

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Removing the power supply

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Power supply

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: 3.4V 1.75A Power supply - Delta 614-0492

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Disconnecting the status LED from the motherboard

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Removing the motherboard and heatsink screws

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Removing the motherboard and heatsink

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Empty case with status LED still attached

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Motherboard and heatsink

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Removing the heatsink

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Heatsink removed

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Motherboard without heatsink

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Removing the EMI/RFI shields

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Motherboard - Front

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Motherboard - Back

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: A5 package-on-package (PoP) system-on-a-chip (SoC)

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Single-core application processor and DDR2 SDRAM chip sandwiched on top of each other

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: 8GB Toshiba NAND Flash

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Apple 343S0479

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Apple 338S1040

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Broadcom BCM4330 802.11a/b/g/n MAC/Baseband/Radio with Integrated Bluetooth 4.0+HS & FM Transceiver

    Thanks to our friends at <a href="http://www.ifixit.com/">iFixit</a>, I know that there's a Broadcom BCM4330 under this shield, which is soldered to the motherboard.

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Delta 8456B-R 1206

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: SMSC LAN9730 Hi-Speed Inter-Chip (HSIC) USB 2.0 to 10/100 Ethernet Controller

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Unknown chip

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Remote IR receiver

  • Cracking Open Apple TV 2012: Completely disassembled

Apple TV 2012 teardown

Its release may have been overshadowed by the 3rd generation iPad (launched at the same event), but the 2012 Apple TV should please fans of the Cupertino company's streaming media player.

I cracked open the 2nd generation Apple TV in 2010 and was curious to see the new chips inside the 2012 model. Follow along as I crack open the 2012 Apple TV.

For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Apple TV 2012 Teardown: Upgraded processor, wireless chip.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...