You have all seen these posts on many different technology websites talking about the glory of Apple TV when really they have all been robbed, by a small turtle neck man with the same powers as God and his ability to put a shine on the blandest of products. This time we are not arguing between good vs evil or even Mac vs PC, Apple TV ’supposedly’ going to be in a league of its own so how does it compare for you the consumer.
Now as I type this humble little rant about the Apple TV thousands of Apple manic’s are getting down to business using their new home media hub, so have they been robbed or are they the ones to take the initiative?.
Lets take a serious yet one sided view of things and see;
Apple TV isn’t a revolution simple, Apple fanboys and everybody else (that includes if you bought your PC from Curry’s) know this to be charade, unfortunately its the inclusion of Itunes that’s makes it appealing. You create something so popular (Itunes) people cant resist and when the popularity of that product connects with another product you have a gold mine. Of course this isn’t a new idea, you didn’t have Ray Kroc selling you Mexican chicken wraps or carrot sticks 50 years ago, but these things sell because society changes (post modernism) and companies are always evolving and trying to make more money. Maybe McDonalds is a bad example because they have other more obvious organizational functions to owe there success, but I hope you understand my reasoning; create a product that goes hand in hand and 
it will sell depending on your business (brand image) and its popularity with a class of individuals. This is exactly why Apple TV will become such a success it directly incorporates into itunes which isn’t just a simple music player, but the biggest online music shop in the world.
OK Apple TV is going to be popular but it doesn’t answer the question why people have alternatives and decided against taking them for this applely goodness. Fair enough if it was the only way to access your Itunes account on a TV but it isn’t so what’s the big deal ?. A 200 pound base unit (250GB HD too) connected to your TV by HDMI (DVI to HDMI) would do the same job and you wouldn’t be restricted to itunes either. Anything you do on your computer now you could do on your TV, surf the web, watch torrent movies and compose an email before Neighbors etc. But people like being restricted, they like been spoon fed and been told what to do, so unfortunately this will always be the case.
Looking at a base unit now with a 250 GB HD and wifi inside, already has one up on Apple TV and for the same price. The possibilities would be endless having your computer integrated with your TV (or is it vice-versa). So why are people settling for a little white box with a measly 40 GB. Streaming media wirelessly sounds good, but hey having all your media stuck on 250 HD and the option to stream stuff too sounds better, yet people still will go with Apple TV. When streaming media can still be a little jerky. I know Apple TV has a 40GB HD but how long would that last you, not long is the answer in a world of video media.
I could sit here all night and argue the case against this little bundle of joy, but the main question is this;
“Do You Want One ?”
My Reply
“Yes”
Take from my answer what you will, even I don’t agree with my reasoning for this reply.
Mainly because there isn’t one!
-Kyle
Update : DIY: Apple TV Hard Drive Upgraded to 120GB