DavidMac

Q: What Is Difference In Apple TV 3G "FD199LL/A" and "MD199LL/A" (part numbers)?

Just received a refurbished 3rd Generation Apple TV, and noticed that it is one of the newer models of the Apple TV 3rd Generation models (Model A1469).

 

The Apple part number on the refurbished model A1469 is "FD199LL/A" …. while I've noticed that an older 3rd generation Apple TV I have (Model 1427), has an Apple part number of "MD199LL/A.

 

Question is:

If both 3rd generation Apple TV models are basically the same … using the "…199LL/A" designation, then what is the difference between the Apple TV part numbers, starting with the "FD ..." and "MD ..." designations?  I'm wondering if the "FD …" part number is reflective of the "refurbished"  Apple TV version", while the "MD …" part number might refer to the "retail version"?

 

Does anyone know what the "FD …" Apple TV part number stands for, versus the "MD …" Apple TV part number?

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), Apple TV, iPhone 4S

Posted on Mar 18, 2015 2:42 PM

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Q: What Is Difference In Apple TV 3G "FD199LL/A" and "MD199LL/A" (part numbers)?

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Mar 18, 2015 2:44 PM in response to DavidMac
    Level 10 (314,227 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 18, 2015 2:44 PM in response to DavidMac

    Yes, it reflects refurbished products.

     

    (124381)

  • by cyberbiker,

    cyberbiker cyberbiker Jun 7, 2015 3:48 PM in response to DavidMac
    Level 1 (123 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 7, 2015 3:48 PM in response to DavidMac

    David, some of your info comes from flaky sources. Part number FD199LL/A Model A1427 was the original U.S. Apple TV 3rd Generation version. Part number MD199LL/A Model A1469 was the 3rd Generation Rev A (also called Rev2). No MD199LL/A modules have ever had the A1427 designation. Perhaps when original 3rd Gen models were refurbished the A1427 designation was changed to A1469, if that is what you see on the bottom of your module and on the Apple TV Home Screen at Settings > General > About.

     

    It almost seems like Apple's failure to specify Apple TV model numbers in its Apple Store and Support product pages is an effort to obfuscate details for the benefit of resellers. Here they are:

     

    Apple TV 3rd Gen:  Part number FD199LL/A Model A1427

     

    Apple TV 3rd Gen RevA (also called Rev2):  Part number MD199LL/A Model A1469

     

    From a functionality standpoint the big difference is that the 3rd Gen RevA (currently $69) has the Peer-to-peer AirPlay, as noted in the tech specs at http://store.apple.com/us/buy-appletv/appletv

     

    On the Peer-to-peer AirPlay page at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204289 Apple states "You can stream content to your Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with software version 7.0 or later."

     

    From a hardware standpoint Apple upgraded the 3rd Gen RevA chip from the A5r2 to the A5. Details are at

    http://www.anandtech.com/show/6834/apple-tv-2013-a1469-short-review-analysis-of- a-new-a5

     

    The Certified Refurbished Apple TVs sold by Apple (currently $59) are mostly the FD199LL/A Model A1427 models. Details (and specs) are at http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD199LL/A/refurbished-apple-tv

     

    A smaller number of 3rd Gen RevA devices have also been refurbished and retained their MD199LL/A Model A1469 designation.

  • by cyberbiker,

    cyberbiker cyberbiker Jun 7, 2015 9:21 PM in response to DavidMac
    Level 1 (123 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 7, 2015 9:21 PM in response to DavidMac

    [quote="DavidMac"]The Apple part number on the refurbished model A1469 is "FD199LL/A" …. while I've noticed that an older 3rd generation Apple TV I have (Model 1427), has an Apple part number of "MD199LL/A.[/quote]

     

    David, where do you see the Part numbers (FD199LL/A and MD199LL/A on your two devices?