What are the "pros and cons" of the black Apple TV HD (4th Gen, 2015) model? Should I still consider one?

The black Apple TV 4th Gen -- which Apple rebranded as the "Apple TV HD" on March 25, 2019 -- is significantly more capable than earlier devices, but slower and less capable than the subsequently released Apple TV 4K models.

Compared to its predecessors, the Apple TV 4th Gen packs more hardware power as well as support for a new "tvOS" that has its own app store for the potential of a wide variety of native apps and games. It also originally included a black "Siri Remote" with a glass surface for precise navigation and support for Siri voice commands.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple TV HD)

On April 20, 2021, Apple revised the Apple TV HD to instead include a silver-colored "Siri Remote" (A2540, EMC 3732, MJFM3LL/A). This Siri Remote has a touch-enabled "clickpad control that offers five-way navigation" and an outer ring that works as a "jog control" for quick scene selection, as well. It is much better.

This remote also can be purchased separately from site sponsor Adorama and other Apple Authorized Resellers for US$59.

A quick review of the pros and cons of the device can help you determine whether or not the Apple TV HD meets your needs:

Pros:

• Small, sleek case design.
• Easy to connect to an HDMI-equipped HDTV and setup for streaming.
• Generally easy to use interface and Siri support saves time for some functions.
• App store will result in thousands of useful apps from third-parties.
• HDMI, 10/100Base-T Ethernet and 802.11ac support standard.
• Support for Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 sound.
• Slick and pretty glass surface "Siri Remote" included (much better remote included starting April 20, 2021).

Cons:

• Siri functionality is hit-or-miss.
• Text entry is painful with the remote and the glass surfaced remote is physically fragile, too (the second "Siri Remote" included starting on April 20, 2021 is much better).
• No optical audio out.
• No support for 4K video.
• Does not have any ability to record programming.
• Hardware cannot be upgraded -- processor, RAM or storage.
• Expensive.

The Apple TV 4th Gen was a new platform with a new operating system and when it was first released it felt unfinished in some respects. Now, as the Apple TV HD, it is relatively slow compared to subsequently introduced Apple TV 4K models, but if you want an easy way to stream content from Apple Macs and devices to your television, view selected content within Apple's ecosystem, and have access to third-party apps, the Apple TV HD is the cheapest new option.

If you do not have a 4K television, and do not plan to buy one soon, the Apple TV HD remains well worth consideration. Those with a 4K television definitely should spend the extra US$30 for an Apple TV 4K model, though.

Site sponsor Adorama has new Apple TV models with free shipping for all.