*** This page is a work in progress ***

I bought this second-hand AppleTV as an all-in-one HTPC solution. Unlike most Ion platforms, which are equally cheap, can have more RAM (the AppleTV's RAM is soldered on), and are more customisable, this device has everything you need - a remote (tiny and plasticky), a built-in IR receiver, and (which for me was a huge pre) a stylish, silent (but not fanless) design. Despite its limitations (the RAM, the lack of a hardware switch to shut down the device, and the Realtek Ethernet which relies on the underpowered CPU to do the dirty work), I am very happy with this purchase - the Broadcom CrystalHD turns it into a full-fledged media center supporting 1080p playback. Ideally, I'd purchase a 2010 Mac Mini, so DVD playback would also be possible (and, maybe in the future, a slot-in Blu-Ray drive), but the price Apple asks for it is way too much.

Hardware specifications

• 1 GHz Intel 'Crofton' CPU
• 256 MB DDR SD-RAM
• nVidia GeForce Go 7300 (64 MB RAM)
• Hitachi HD (P-ATA, 2,5", 160 GB, 5400 RPM)
• Broadcom BCM970012 CrystalHD mini PCI-E card
• Realtek Fast Ethernet
• IR receiver

Lspci output

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express PCI Express Root Port (rev 03)
00:07.0 Performance counters: Intel Corporation Device 27a3 (rev 03)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 02)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 02)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev e2)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 02)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 02)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation G72M [Quadro NVS 110M/GeForce Go 7300] (rev a1)
02:00.0 Multimedia controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM70012 Video Decoder [Crystal HD] (rev 01)
03:03.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)