Apple TV (Generation 3, Early 2013)

When the Apple TV was first released in 2007, it was described as an “easy to use and fun way to wirelessly play all your favorite iTunes content from your PC or Mac on your widescreen TV, including movies, TV shows, music, photos and podcasts.” Three years later, the Generation 2 Apple TV was released in a form factor 80% smaller than the original device and with enhanced streaming capabilities.

The Generation 3 Apple TV was released on March 7, 2012, and featured “1080p programming including iTunes movies and TV shows, Netflix, Vimeo, photos and more in HD. With iTunes in the Cloud, customers can purchase and play their favorite movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store and watch them instantly on their HD TV.”

In addition to a “simpler, refined user interface,” AirPlay allowed users to stream or mirror content from an iPad or iPhone 4S to Apple TV.

The Apple TV Generation 3 looked identical to the Generation 2 model. It was 0.9 inch high, 3.9 x 3.9 inches square (with rounded corners) and weighed 0.6 pound. It used an Apple single-core A5 processor and had both Wi-Fi (802.11a, b, g, or n) and a 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port. Its audio/visual ports included HDMI and optical audio, and its maximum video output was 1080p, 1920 x 1080 HD (the Generation 2 was capable only of 720p).

The Early 2013 version of the Generation 3 Apple TV (model A1469) was not officially touted by Apple as an upgrade, but the internal hardware changed in approximately March 2013. EveryMac called this the Generation 3 “Revision A” version and reported that “Compared to the model it quietly replaced, it has a smaller 28 nm version of the Apple A5 processor (S5L8947), different identifiers, and supports Peer-to-Peer AirPlay (running Apple TV Software Update 7.0 or later).”

Sources: Apple (original Apple TV, Generation 2 Apple TV, Generation 3 Apple TV, technical specifications), EveryMac (early 2012, early 2013)

Apple TV (Generation 3, Early 2012)

When the Apple TV was first released in 2007, it was described as an “easy to use and fun way to wirelessly play all your favorite iTunes content from your PC or Mac on your widescreen TV, including movies, TV shows, music, photos and podcasts.” Three years later, the Generation 2 Apple TV was released in a form factor 80% smaller than the original device and with enhanced streaming capabilities.

The Generation 3 Apple TV (model A1427) was released on March 7, 2012, and featured “1080p programming including iTunes movies and TV shows, Netflix, Vimeo, photos and more in HD. With iTunes in the Cloud, customers can purchase and play their favorite movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store and watch them instantly on their HD TV.”

In addition to a “simpler, refined user interface,” AirPlay allowed users to stream or mirror content from an iPad or iPhone 4S to Apple TV.

The Apple TV Generation 3 looked identical to the Generation 2 model. It was 0.9 inch high, 3.9 x 3.9 inches square (with rounded corners) and weighed 0.6 pound. It used an Apple single-core A5 processor and had both Wi-Fi (802.11a, b, g, or n) and a 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port. Its audio/visual ports included HDMI and optical audio with a maximum video output of 1080p, 1920 x 1080 HD (the Generation 2 was capable only of 720p).

Sources: Apple (original Apple TV, Generation 2 Apple TV, Generation 3 Apple TV, technical specifications), EveryMac

MacBook Pro 13-inch (Late 2011)

The MacBook Pro 13-inch (Late 2011) used the Intel Core i5 “Sandy Bridge” 2.4 GHz processor with two cores. It had a 500 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, a SuperDrive, an Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor, and an integrated FaceTime HD webcam. Its display used an LED-backlit 13.3-inch widescreen TFT active-matrix glossy display (at 1280×800 resolution).

Wireless connectivity included AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1. Wired ports included Gigabit Ethernet, one Firewire 800 port, two USB 2.0 ports, audio in/out, an SDXC card slot, and a Thunderbolt port.

According to EveryMac, this laptop was identical to its predecessor, the MacBook Pro 13-inch (Early 2011) except for the faster processor. In fact, EveryMac indicated that this Late 2011 model was “quietly unveiled without a press release.”

This laptop was 0.95 inch high, 12.78 inches wide, 8.94 inches deep, and weighed 4.5 pounds. It originally shipped with OS X Lion.

Sources: EveryMac, Apple

Apple TV HD (2021) and Siri Remote (Generation 2, 2021)

The Apple TV HD (A1625) was previously known as the Apple TV Generation 4. It was originally released in 2015 when it came with the Siri Remote (Generation 1). In 2021 Apple renamed this device the “Apple TV HD” upon release of the Apple TV 4K (Generation 2). Both the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K (Generation 2) shipped with a then-new Siri Remote (Generation 2).

The Apple TV HD had ports including HDMI (1.4), 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, and a USB-C port (“for service and support”). Wireless connectivity included Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.0, and an IR receiver. This Apple TV supported 720p or 1080p, but lacked support for 4K.

The Apple TV HD included the Siri Remote (Generation 2). This remote was all silver and included a “touch-enabled clickpad” to “click titles, swipe through playlists, and use a circular gesture on the outer ring.” Like its predecessor, it charged with a Lightning cable, included an IR transmitter, and used an internal microphone for Siri commands. It was larger than the original Siri Remote at 5.4 x 1.4 inches with a weight if 2.2 ounces. This new remote lacks both the accelerometer and gyroscope sensors that were included in the original Siri Remote.

The Apple TV HD used a dual core Apple A8 processor and came with either 32 or 64GB of internal flash memory storage. This example is a 32GB model.

Sources: EveryMac, Apple (Siri Remote, Apple TV)

Remote Loop (2015)

The Remote Loop is an accessory for the Siri Remote, Apple’s remote for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. When the Apple TV HD (Generation 4) was released with support for games, the Siri Remote included motion sensors for use in some games.

As the Nintendo Wii demonstrated, TV screen safety became an issue when the controller’s motion sensors require swinging a remote at the TV. Apple created the Remote Loop to keep you TV screen safe. According to Apple:

“The Remote Loop keeps your Siri Remote safely tethered to your wrist so you won’t have to worry about accidental slips or drops. It clicks into the Lightning connector on the remote for secure attachment and easy removal. And you can adjust the size for a snug and secure fit. The Remote Loop is compatible with the Siri Remote for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.”

The Remote Loop sold separately and was similar to the iPod touch Loop. However, the Remote Loop uses a connector similar to a Lightning port, but with retracting spikes on both sides. The spikes serve to securely attach the loop to the remote and are released by squeezing the buttons on both sides. A similar connection method was used in early 30-pin Apple connectors that shipped with iPod and early iPhone devices.

The Remote Loop measures 8.68 inches long, 0.36 inch wide, and 0.22 inch deep. It weighs 0.1 ounce. The Remote Loop was only available in black.

Sources: Apple (Siri Remote, Remote Loop), 9to5mac

iPhone 7 (128 GB, silver, 2016)

The iPhone 7 has a 4.7-inch screen at 1334×750, also known by Apple as a Retina HD display. The iPhone has a front and back camera: the rear camera is 12-megapixel and the front camera is a 7-megapixel FaceTime HD camera with 1080p video. 

The iPhone 7 was the first iPhone (along with the iPhone 7 Plus) to remove the 3.5 mm headphone jack and only include a Lightning port for audio. Like the iPhone 6 and 6s before it, the iPhone 7 uses a “clickless” Home button that clicks using an internal Taptic-engine-powered solid state component. Although the iPhone 7 is not water-proof, it is splash, water, and dust-resistant. 

The iPhone 7 came in several colors: silver (white glass front, silver back); gold (white glass front, gold back); rose gold (white glass front, pink-tinted gold back); black (black glass front, matte black back); jet black (black glass front, a high-gloss black anodized and polished black aluminum back); and later added a (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition (white glass front, red aluminum back). 

The iPhone 7 uses the Apple A10 Fusion  processor, 2 GB of RAM, and was available with 32 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB of flash storage.

While I opted for the iPhone 7 Plus as my personal phone in the iPhone 7 era, I chose the then-new (and not offered since) jet black color. I immediately covered the glossy finish with a case to heed Apple’s warning that jet black “may show fine micro-abrasions with use.” (It did scratch easily!)

Source: EveryMac

iPad mini (original, Wi-Fi, 16 GB, silver, unopened, 2012)

The original iPad mini featured a 7.9-inch screen at 1024×768 (163 ppi). Internally, it had a dual core 1 GHz Apple A5 processor; 512 MB of RAM; and 16, 32, or 64 GB of storage. It had two cameras: a rear-mounted 5 megapixel iSight camera (1080p) and a front-mounted 1.2 megapixel FaceTime HD camera (720p). The original iPad mini used a Lightning port.

I kept my original iPad mini in my daily backpack for a very long time due to its near perfect size and weight as a truly mobile device with the same 1024×768 screen as a standard iPad of the time (just with smaller pixels). I purchased this additional iPad mini as an example for my collection and never unboxed it. This version has a silver back and white front. 

Source: EveryMac 

iPad mini (original, Wi-Fi, 16 GB, space gray, 2012)

The original iPad mini featured a 7.9-inch screen at 1024×768 (163 ppi). Internally, it had a dual core 1 GHz Apple A5 processor; 512 MB of RAM; and 16, 32, or 64 GB of storage. It had two cameras: a rear-mounted 5 megapixel iSight camera (1080p) and a front-mounted 1.2 megapixel FaceTime HD camera (720p). The original iPad mini used a Lightning port.

I found the iPad mini perfect for travel due to its small size, reduced weight, high-quality display, and 10-hour battery.

Source: EveryMac.com

iPhone 7 Plus (128 GB, jet black, 2016)

This particular iPhone 7 Plus model was used with an AT&T network in the United States. All iPhone 7 Plus models used a 5.5-inch widescreen multitouch Retina HD display at 1920×1080 (401 ppi). It used a taptic-engine that provided a clickless Home button. The iPhone 7 Plus used three cameras: two rear 12-megapixel cameras (one with a wide-angle and one with a 2x telephoto lens) and a front FaceTime HD camera (7 megapixels and 1080p).

The iPhone 7 Plus was originally available in five color options: silver (white glass front and a silver back), gold (white glass front and a gold back), rose gold (white glass front and a pink-tinted gold back), black (black glass front and a matte black back), and jet black (black glass front and a high-gloss anodized and polished black aluminum back). On March 21, 2017, Apple added a (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition with a white glass front and a red aluminum back.

The iPhone 7 Plus was splash, water, and dust-resistant (but not waterproof). It had a Lightning port, but lacked a headphone jack.

Internally, the iPhone 7 Plus used a 64-bit Apple A10 Fusion processor with four cores; 3 GB of RAM; and 32, 128, or 256 GB of storage. It supported 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, LTE (4G), and NFC for Apple Pay.

Source: EveryMac.com

iPad mini (Generation 2, 16 GB, black, 2013, unopened)

The iPad mini 2 was originally referred to as “iPad mini with Retina Display.” It featured a 7.9-inch 2048×1536 (326 ppi) display; a dual core 1.3 GHz Apple A7 processor; 1 GB of RAM; and 16, 32, 64, or 128 GB of storage. The iPad mini 2 was available in white (with a silver back) or black (with a medium gray gunmetal back).

The iPad mini 2 included two cameras: a rear-mounted 5 megapixel iSight camera (1080p) and a front-mounted 1.2 megapixel FaceTime HD camera (720p), dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, two microphones, and two speakers. This iPad used a Lightning port and included a headphone jack.

Source: EveryMac.com