I purchased a Roku Extremely over an Apple TV 4K for an excellent purpose

The Apple TV 4K is my favourite streaming gadget in the marketplace, however even I am conscious of its limitations. I’ve an growing older first-gen gadget that dates again to 2017, and it is beginning to miss out on new options, so the writing is on the wall. Whereas it makes excellent sense for me to improve to the latest third-gen mannequin, rumors concerning the upcoming fourth-gen have me hesitant to tug the set off.

With a TV in my basement in want of a streaming gadget of some type, my plan was to get a brand new Apple TV 4K, transfer my previous one to the bed room, after which transfer the Google Chromecast 4K at the moment in my bed room right down to the basement. After seeing $35 in reward certificates at Greatest Purchase and a 2024 Roku Extremely on sale for $80, I made a decision to scrap these plans utterly and get the Roku. Solely time will inform the way it pays off for me, however to date, so good.

Roku Extremely (2024)

Dimensions

4.9 x 5.0 x 1.0 inches

Connective Expertise

Bluetooth® streaming, 802.11ax dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz), 10/100 Base-T Ethernet

Model

Roku

Audio outputs

Digital stereo over HDMI, DTS Digital Encompass move by way of over HDMI, Dolby Atmos decode by way of HDMI (with suitable audio system)

Integrations

Works with Roku Good Residence, Apple AirPlay and HomeKit, Google Residence, Alexa

Wi-Fi

802.11ax dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)

Develop

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I have been in search of one thing to interchange my Chromecast 4K, and in my head, I at all times thought it might be one other Apple TV 4K. Apple’s gadget does all the things I may ask for. It is quick, straightforward to make use of, and does not take up a ton of area. Even with out one other Apple gadget, I could not discover very a lot to complain about with the Apple TV outdoors of it being older.

The foremost subject with the Apple TV 4K is its worth. The third-gen mannequin, one which’s just a few years previous at this level, nonetheless prices $130, or $150 for one with extra space for storing. For comparability, the Google Streamer and 2024 Roku Extremely high out at $100, with the latter usually dropping right down to $80 whereas on sale. At practically half the worth, I made a decision to take the danger and go along with the Roku.

I discovered myself in a singular state of affairs the place I did not should ask what the very best streamer was as a result of I have already got the one which most individuals suggest. I simply wished to combine issues up and seize a secondary streamer for one more room, however I may very simply see myself utilizing this in my predominant viewing space. Very like the Apple TV 4K, the Roku Extremely has a low profile, all of the apps, and it is lots speedy. It has each Dolby Imaginative and prescient and Dolby Atmos, so any individual with a house theater setup resembling myself will not really feel left behind with lacking options.

One thing I’ve to ask myself is that if the Roku Extremely can do all the things the Apple TV 4K does, why spend the additional money and go for Apple? It is a honest query, particularly since my Google Residence gadgets work with my Roku whereas the Apple TV does not. For me, the reply lies in space for storing and the shortage of adverts. A baseline Apple TV 4K comes with 64 GB of inside reminiscence, and you should use that area to fill it up with Apple Arcade video games like Balatro. Invasive adverts are a giant criticism amongst Roku house owners, and whereas I won’t have the identical emotions as others, there’s nonetheless some whiplash going from a tool that has none to the Roku Extremely.

The Roku Extremely does not have a number of versatility with simply 4 GB of storage. It is a streaming gadget at the beginning, and if that is all you are in search of, then it is good for that. Whereas that is not a number of storage, it is greater than sufficient for all of the streaming apps you can ever want. Even when I do not play video games or do something apart from watch exhibits and flicks on my Apple TV, I like figuring out the opposite choices are there.

If I used to be immediately changing my Apple TV 4K, I’d’ve splurged and gotten the third-gen mannequin. Since that wasn’t my plan, I’m greater than okay with testing out the Roku Extremely. If it does not supplant my growing older Apple mannequin, it actually nonetheless has a spot in my dwelling. As of proper now, I am leaning extra towards conserving the Apple TV in my front room and placing the Roku in my bed room.

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One other huge purpose, maybe the most important one, I did not decide up the most recent Apple TV 4K is that one other iteration is rumored to be on the best way. I do know it won’t be something based mostly in actuality as rumors are what’s driving the dialog, however I feel a brand new mannequin is overdue. The final refresh got here again in 2022, and expertise strikes quick. What was new in 2022 is not the case anymore, and there are a selection of enhancements that may be made. I have been outspoken about eager to see Apple Intelligence within the subsequent era, and I feel that is value ready for.

I want Apple provided reductions on their previous merchandise as a result of it is laborious for me to justify a third-gen mannequin costing greater than one thing model new from Google or Roku, even when it is the very best product round. If there was a worth minimize to $100, I might doubtless be sitting with a second Apple TV in my dwelling as an alternative of a Roku.

There is no telling for sure whether or not Apple has plans for one more Apple TV gadget, however contemplating how a lot it is praised by house owners, it might be bizarre to see that not be the case. For those who have a look at a number of the newest tvOS updates, you will see the first-gen and even the second-gen have been lacking out on new options. This leaves the third-gen as the one mannequin nonetheless actively getting all the things. I do not know what Apple plans so as to add sooner or later, however there’ll doubtless be a day when the third-gen mannequin is not able to receiving the replace. This might occur with the introduction of Apple Intelligence, for instance.

If one does find yourself releasing this 12 months, I will doubtless nonetheless decide it up as a result of my first-gen mannequin is getting older with every passing day. Though it nonetheless works, I discover myself having to drive shut apps greater than I might like, and I might relatively put an finish to the headache if I can. The Roku Extremely is an efficient method of assuaging that, however I am unable to think about I will totally convert to a Roku family except I am utterly blown away by the gadget within the coming weeks. As of proper now, it is an ideal match for a secondary streaming gadget, and I think about most individuals could be pleased with it being their predominant one.

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