Is 32g enough? (ATV4)

[drumcat]

Simply put, is anyone with a 64g really glad they didn't get the smaller one?
Anyone with a 32g glad they didn't spend the extra money? Unlike in the states, Apple made it $100 different here in New Zealand. $300 or $400, and while I'd like to have one, I'd prefer saving the money.

Of course, I'm that guy that buys the biggest iPhone because I fill it up. I *know* I'd use that up. However, I could use some insight... I had an ATV3, but apps are a new game. Thoughts?

 

[2010mini]

Well you can't store anything on the Apple TV like on iOS devices except apps which don't take up that much space.

 

[drumcat]

So the storage size is directly and only related to app installation from the store?

 

[Mac... nificent]

Well you can't store anything on the Apple TV like on iOS devices except apps which don't take up that much space.

Not true. That's not how app thinning works.

@drumcat
While the 32gb is fairly popular I personally wouldn't feel safe with one. I am very happy with the 64gb version and some vendors sell it for 149.99, so it's really a no brainier to get one. Every now and then MicroCenter puts theirs on sale, as do other vendors.

 

[2010mini]

Not true. That's not how app thinning works.

what's not true? that apps don't take up that much space? maybe you got me wrong.... the OP asked about GB size on the Apple TV mattering like on an iOS device. On an iOS device you can store music, movies/TV Shows, pictures, data... etc. But on an Apple TV you can't. So the GB size you get are for reasons OTHER than storing local content.

 

[drumcat]

Right, so the storage portions... that can't be allocated for, say, local music or photo storage?

I get what you're saying about MicroCenter, but overseas, that's not nearly the same kind of option.

 

[Inutopia]

Not true. That's not how app thinning works.

@drumcat
While the 32gb is fairly popular I personally wouldn't feel safe with one. I am very happy with the 64gb version and some vendors sell it for 149.99, so it's really a no brainier to get one. Every now and then MicroCenter puts theirs on sale, as do other vendors.

Huh? Seems like you're answering a different question here... And also pretty desperate to justify your purchase in your own mind.

To the OP: I think it will basically come down to games. Much like on the iPhone etc. most apps are really small, but once games get going they could easily run into GBs of space each. If you're into gaming on the Apple TV, then maybe consider the larger one, otherwise I think you'll be fine as it's very much a streaming device.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Well you can't store anything on the Apple TV like on iOS devices except apps which don't take up that much space.

Apps can take up to 2.2GB space. I wouldn't call that 'not much', as it is 1/13 of available space for one app, in theory.

But in any event, we live happily with 32GB on ours, as there are not that many interesting apps out for the Apple TV yet.

 

[dke11ett]

OP you should be fine with 32GB version. I have over 60+ apps on my Apple TV 4 and not even 1/3 of the space is filled. Unless you plan on using the device for gaming the majority of the time, the 32GB is the way to go. Make sure you look for deals.

 

[zone23]

Don't be a settler get the 64gb. My mind works like well for an extra 50 I can get the 64gb and never have to wonder if I made the right choice, and thats what I did.

 

[jdag]

I have 3 32gb units and have no regrets at all. I don't game, and will unlikely ever run into storage limit problems. My ATVs are used for Plex, Home Sharing, Netflix, and ESPN primarily. And my guess is that there will be new models of the ATV long before I need more than 32gb.

But, there are a couple of unknowns...

1) What if Apple has plans to use storage differently in the future. For instance, if/when subscription TV is available, will the storage space be used for DVR-like capabilities?

2) What if Apple allows developers more open use of storage space?

Anyhow, those are what ifs, but I think both very possible scenarios. Again, I would suspect that new models will appear before those storage needs arise. And worse case, use the ATV on a secondary TV, give it to a family member, or throw it on eBay and recoup ~50% of what you paid.

 

[zachlegomaniac]

Glad I have the 32. If space is a concern it sounds like @Mac... nificent found a place to grab the 64 for the price I payed for the 32 on launch day!

I have half a dozen games and a few dozen streaming apps with a ton of drive space to go.

 

[John_Hagan]

The 32gb should be fine unless of course you plan on a lot of gaming as others have said. I currently have about 45 apps on mine with plenty of space left. Only 2 are games. If you are into gaming then you may want to spend the extra $ and get the 64gb.

 

[chrfr]

I have had a 32GB since release day and am currently using less than 7GB of space. The 64 would be a waste of money for me. I don't play games on the Apple TV.

 

[T5BRICK]

The 32GB model is fine for me. I don't see a good reason to go with a higher capacity.

 

[drumcat]

Thanks everyone. By inference, you've all answered my main question. I'm not getting a ton of apps, and as stated, I can always make it a secondary. What disappoints me is that storage doesn't seem to be able to be allocated towards photo screensavers, etc. I have had an ATV3 NTSC, and the biggest annoyance to me is that the screensaver photos repeated constantly. My wife would always turn it off and watch something else, so as stupid as it seems, that prevented the device from getting more traction at home. It's very disappointing that it wouldn't update or network stream as it went.

As such, I was willing to spring for the extra space if it could be used to store larger photo caches, etc., but it appears that the storage is for app installs only. Bummer, but definitely going with the 32gb. Thanks all for your information!

 

[throAU]

Don't be a settler get the 64gb. My mind works like well for an extra 50 I can get the 64gb and never have to wonder if I made the right choice, and thats what I did.

On the flip-side, don't waste your money going for 64 GB today, but maybe go for 64 GB when you need it and the new version is out with better performance.

How much storage you need depends on what you do with it, if its only going to be a streaming box 64 GB is wasted. If its only going to be for light occasional gaming, 64 GB is wasted...

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

What disappoints me is that storage doesn't seem to be able to be allocated towards photo screensavers, etc.

The AppleTV does indeed store the gorgeous screensaver movies on the unit.

 

[drumcat]

The AppleTV does indeed store the gorgeous screensaver movies on the unit.

But for my photo albums, does it go past 200 now?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

If you refer to iCloud Photo Library, then no, it streams everything. And in my experience it totally sucks at it, being borderline useless.

 

[jdag]

I have my screensaver set to use a specific Smart Album from my Aperture library on my iMac (iMac runs 24x7 and is the server for just about everything we share). The Smart Album has ~350 photos, and I add/remove from that album periodically.

What I've notices is that the ATV screensaver will sort of rotate in and out a group of maybe 50 photos from that Smart Album. Then occasionally grab a different set of 50. I've yet to determine when/how it grabs new photos (if it is at some time period such as 3 days or if it is when I reboot, etc.). I rarely turn the ATV off (have the power mode set to "never"), so I don't think it is when it reboots.

 

[zone23]

On the flip-side, don't waste your money going for 64 GB today, but maybe go for 64 GB when you need it and the new version is out with better performance.

How much storage you need depends on what you do with it, if its only going to be a streaming box 64 GB is wasted. If its only going to be for light occasional gaming, 64 GB is wasted...

Sorry but its not a "waste". For 50 bucks its a no brainer.

 

[satcomer]

With some Apple TV apps you would be better off save for a USB 3 drive and router USB connection (Apple Extreme or Time Capsule) or a Synology NAS DS415 to save your media to that.

 

[chrfr]

Sorry but its not a "waste". For 50 bucks its a no brainer.

If that were true, I'd have spent $50 extra to have 57GB of unused capacity instead of 25GB unused. The extra capacity isn't the right choice for everyone. For me, the extra space is absolutely a waste.

 

[JGRE]

Well you can't store anything on the Apple TV like on iOS devices except apps which don't take up that much space.

You are wrong, you can install movies via VLC local on your device. I think there are other apps which do the same.
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I have a 3 32gb units and have no regrets at all. I don't game, and will unlikely ever run into storage limit problems. My ATVs are used for Plex, Home Sharing, Netflix, and ESPN primarily. And my guess is that there will be new models of the ATV long before I need more than 32gb.

But, there are a couple of unknowns...

1) What if Apple has plans to use storage differently in the future. For instance, if/when subscription TV is available, will the storage space be used for DVR-like capabilities?

2) What if Apple allows developers more open use of storage space?

Anyhow, those are what ifs, but I think both very possible scenarios. Again, I would suspect that new models will appear before those storage needs arise. And worse case, use the ATV on a secondary TV, give it to a family member, or throw it on eBay and recoup ~50% of what you paid.

How? The 3 doens't have GB options, the 4 is the first one.