Apple TV (2010, 2nd Gen)

79% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

84% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Its Netflix loads faster than your Netflix. Even without the TV stuff, there's a great gaming machine inside the Apple TV. The remote is super-versatile. Apps probably are the future of TV

The remote is super-frustrating. Setting everything up will leave you wanting to commit crimes. Siri and the App Store both have some work left to do

That is not this, though. This Apple TV is a PowerPoint presentation, not a finished execution. You can buy it now, but know that you’re doing so in the hope that the App Store quickly gets bigger and better. (And in fairness, Apple’s track record says...

1080p, finally. Purchases from iTunes are stored in iCloud for syncing across devices. If you’re an iTunes Match subscriber, you can stream your tunes and playlists from iCloud. Use AirPlay to stream from any iOS device, or from any iTunes library on...

Similarly-priced boxes (like the Roku 2 XS) offer more streaming services. Can’t remove or rearrange icons in main menu. 8GB storage is for caching only, and you can’t side-load content through the microUSB port. Remote is too simple and too easy to...

The next year is going to be an interesting time for media boxes, with Apple TV, Google, Roku, Boxee, and others all vying for a spot next to your set. Because of its low price, the Apple TV's closest competitor is the Roku XDS, which, for $99, works...

Killer pricing ; Video and audio quality is excellent ; Elegant, simple interface

Content selection is limited ; Doesn't allow purchases ; Can only network via Apple Home Sharing

Gives access to Internet programming (iTunes, Netflix, etc) ; Very easy to set up ; Lets you access content on computers and iPods/iPhones/iPads on your local network ; Tiny form factor lets it fit in cramped spaces

Doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard for entering account info and passwords ; No HDMI cable provided - and you MUST have an HDMI cable to use it

If you own other Apple products, Apple TV is a no-brainer, as you can now integrate all of your devices with Apple TV via AirPlay. Naturally, the iTunes integration is flawless. If you’re a PC user and depend on iTunes to organize your music for your...

Access to iTunes, easy to set up and use, streaming from iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, streaming of local files, inexpensive

Other than iTunes, limited content partners, resolution only 720p

However, it’s a locked down, play-safe tuner that allows you to visit specific Apple-approved sites like Flickr, Netflix or YouTube. This means you won't be able to surf those other video sites unless you hook up a PC as well to your TV.