Apple still burden a significant premium for its Apple TV player equate to streaming video devices from other society . Mac 911 regularly receives lector query about how to use some compounding of older gearing , AirPlay , and older Apple idiot box to gain memory access to more modern streaming services , like Disney Plus , without pay that peculiar Apple border tax .
My advice ? If a novel Apple TV breaks your budget , a Roku streaming adapter can provide closely everything you require . It cost a fraction of the price of an Apple TV — and includesthe Apple TV app . The Apple TV leave access to Apple ’s medium and channels store , any movies or TV you ’ve already purchase or rented , and Apple TV+ programming ( if you have or destine to get a subscription ) .
TheRoku Express 4Kprovides HD ( 1080p ) , 4 kB , and HDR yield for $ 50 , include a remote control , and can even take in cyclosis AirPlay , so you may still habituate it to rain cats and dogs spiritualist from your other Apple devices . That compares to a $ 179 or $ 199 Apple 4 K TV ( 32 GB or 64 GB storage ) . ( A $ 40 version , Roku Express , pour at up to 1080p , but does n’t have AirPlay support . )
The main deviation ? Apps . Apple has a vast ecosystem of developer who produce package for Apple TV , including Apple Arcade , other games , and specialised interactive apps . The Roku app line - up is concentrate almost entirely on streaming services and alive television .
Apple also includes both Wi - Fi and ethernet as connectivity option . The Roku hardware only boast Wi - Fi ( Wi - Fi 5 or 802.11ac ) ; you may get a third - political party ethernet adapter for about $ 12 to $ 15 to use a wired connexion .
Nobody can pound Apple for the richness of apps and hardware operation . But if all you ’re looking for is straightforward streaming approach , Roku might have the right features and price ticket .
This Mac 911 article is in response to a interrogation submitted by Macworld reader James .
Roku Express 4K+
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