Apple TV (3rd Generation, Early 2012) Specs
Identifiers: 3rd Gen - MD199LL/A - AppleTV3,1 - A1427 - 2528
All Apple TV Models | All 2012 Models
Download: PDF Manual
The Apple TV (3rd Generation/Early 2012) looks identical to the second generation model, but has a more powerful processor and twice the RAM and accordingly is capable of supporting 1080p video and Apple TV Software Update 7.x and AppleTV+ unlike its predecessor which tops out at 720p video and Apple TV Software Update 6.2.1.
The third generation Apple TV makes it easy to rent or purchase movies and TV shows from Apple as well as stream or mirror movies, shows, photos and other content from an iPod, iPhone or iPad as well as from a Mac or PC. It has built-in support for iCloud, Netflix, YouTube and Flickr along with other services.
It is powered by a single core 32 nm Apple A5 processor and connectivity includes HDMI, optical audio, 10/100Base-T Ethernet, a single Micro-USB port "for service and diagnostics" (and hacking), and 802.11a/b/g/n wireless networking as well as Bluetooth 4 (after the Apple TV 6.1 update).
Also see:
- What are all the differences between the Apple TV (3rd Gen) and the Apple TV (2nd Gen) it replaced? Which is best for me?
- What are all the differences between the Apple TV (3rd Gen) and the Aluminum Mac mini? Which is best for my needs?
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- Tech Specs
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| Introduction Date: |
March 7, 2012* |
Discontinued Date: |
March 10, 2013* |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
*It first shipped in the US on March 16, 2012. On January 29, 2013, a slightly revised Apple TV 3rd Generation (AppleTV3,2) model first appeared in FCC filings and it started to ship on or around March 10, 2013.
Also see: All Macs introduced in 2012. |
| Processors: |
1 |
Geekbench: |
N/A |
| Details: |
The Geekbench 2 benchmark does not support this Apple TV. Geekbench 2 benchmarks reflect results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. Individual user-submitted benchmarks can vary, but an average can be useful to get an idea of the relative performance of different Apple devices. You also might be interested in combing through all Geekbench user-submissions for Apple devices with the AppleTV3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench results from different Macs side-by-side, please see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Processor Speed: |
1 GHz* |
Processor Type: |
Apple A5 |
| Details: |
*Apple states that the third generation Apple TV has a single core Apple A5 processor of unspecified clockspeed. However, third-party teardown and analysis determined that it actually is a 32 nm 1 GHz Apple A5 (APL2498, S5L8942) processor that has two cores, but one core is disabled. |
| Processor Upgrade: |
Soldered |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
The Apple A5 processor in this Apple TV is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. |
| System Bus Speed: |
N/A |
Cache Bus Speed: |
N/A |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
N/A |
EFI Architecture: |
N/A |
| L1 Cache: |
N/A |
L2/L3 Cache: |
N/A |
| RAM Type: |
Onboard |
Min. RAM Speed: |
N/A |
| Standard RAM: |
512 MB* |
Maximum RAM: |
512 MB* |
| Details: |
*Apple does not specify the amount of RAM onboard. However, third-parties have confirmed that it has 512 MB of RAM like other iOS devices that support 1080p video.
Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
512 MB |
RAM Slots: |
None |
| Video Card: |
N/A |
VRAM Type: |
N/A |
| Standard VRAM: |
N/A |
Maximum VRAM: |
N/A |
| Details: |
The video cannot be upgraded. |
| Display Support: |
Single Display* |
Native Resolution: |
Multiple* |
| Details: |
The third generation Apple TV requires a "high-definition TV with HDMI and [that is] capable of 1080p or 720p at 60/50Hz."
Also see: How do you connect the black second and third generation Apple TV models to a television? |
| 2nd Display Support: |
None |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
N/A |
| Details: |
The Apple TV can only be connected to a single television. |
| Standard Storage: |
8 GB SSD* |
Storage Interface: |
N/A |
| Details: |
*Officially, the third generation Apple TV has no internal storage. However, third-parties have determined that this model actually has 8 GB of flash memory to cache content, just like the second generation Apple TV. |
| Standard Optical: |
None |
Standard Disk: |
None |
| Details: |
No Apple TV plays CDs or DVDs. |
| Standard Modem: |
None |
Standard Ethernet: |
10/100Base-T |
| Details: |
This Apple TV has a "wired" 10/100Base-T Ethernet port as well as 802.11n wireless capabilities. |
| Standard AirPort: |
802.11a/b/g/n |
Standard Bluetooth: |
4* |
| Details: |
The third generation Apple TV has built-in support for 802.11a/b/g/n.
*After the Apple TV 6.1 update, the third-generation Apple TV supports "Bluetooth discovery" of select devices using the Bluetooth 4 standard.
Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a? |
| USB Ports: |
1 (Micro-USB) |
Firewire Ports: |
None |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the single Micro-USB port is "for service and diagnostics". |
| Expansion Slots: |
None |
Expansion Bays: |
None |
| Details: |
The Apple TV models have no expansion slots or bays. It is not designed to be upgraded by end users. |
| Incl. Keyboard: |
None |
Incl. Input: |
Apple Remote* |
| Details: |
This Apple TV ships with an Aluminum Apple Remote. It also has a single Micro-USB port that Apple reports is "for service and diagnostics" (as well as hacking). |
| Case Type: |
Cuboid |
Form Factor: |
Apple TV (2nd Gen) |
| Details: |
Uses a tiny 3.9 inch by 3.9 inch, 0.9 inch tall case. |
| Apple Order No: |
MD199LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
3rd Gen |
| Details: |
The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
| Apple Model No: |
A1427 (EMC 2528) |
Model ID: |
AppleTV3,1 |
| Details: |
These identifiers are unique to this specific Apple TV.
Also see: All Apple devices with the A1427 Model Number, the 2528 EMC Number, and the AppleTV3,1 Model Identifier.
For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on Macs, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section. |
| Pre-Installed OS: |
Apple TV 5.1* |
Maximum OS: |
Apple TV 7.5* |
| Details: |
*Apple does not formally specify what operating system this third generation Apple TV uses, but it was pre-installed with a modified version of iOS 5.1. It is not capable of running standard iOS applications or the later "tvOS." |
| Dimensions: |
3.9 x 3.9 x 0.9 |
Avg. Weight: |
0.6 lbs. (0.27 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches - height x width x depth (98 mm x 98 mm x 23 mm) |
| Original Price (US): |
US$99 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$25-US$50 |
| Details: |
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
Global original prices for the Apple TV (3rd Generation, Early 2012) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.
For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Original Prices - North & South America
| Canada: |
C$109 |
Brazil: |
R$399 |
| Mexico: |
MXN $1499 |
United States: |
US$99 |
Original Prices - Europe
| Austria: |
€109 |
Belgium: |
€119 |
| Denmark: |
DKK 849 |
Finland: |
€109 |
| France: |
€109 |
Germany: |
€109 |
| Ireland: |
€109 |
Italy: |
€109 |
| Luxembourg: |
€103,59 |
Netherlands: |
€89 |
| Norway: |
NOK 679 |
Portugal: |
€89 |
| Spain: |
€109 |
Sweden: |
SEK 899 |
| Switzerland: |
CHF 109 |
United Kingdom: |
£99 |
Original Prices - Asia
| China: |
N/A |
Hong Kong: |
HK$788 |
| India: |
N/A |
Indonesia: |
Rp 1,499,000 |
| Malaysia: |
RM 349 |
The Philippines: |
PHP 4,990 |
| Singapore: |
S$148 |
Taiwan: |
NT$3,690 |
| Thailand: |
N/A |
Vietnam: |
VND 2,399,000 |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
| Australia: |
A$109 |
New Zealand: |
NZ$159 |
If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the Apple TV models follow.
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1 (HDMI) 
None 
1 (Micro-USB)
None
None
1 (RJ-45)
None
None
1*
None
None
N/A
1
N/A