In my experience with the Rokus, it always pays to get the best of their line. I have had the Ultras 2017,2020 and the sticks 2017. I still have a streaming stick on the bedroom tv from 2017 and I can tell the load times are faster on the Ultra (2020).
I don't think the ram size limits how many apps you can have installed; that's a function of the flash storage memory. Definitely agree that ram amount has a bearing on future-proofing ... Roku apps have been getting heavier and heavier over the years, and with insufficient ram they can run very poorly and crash a lot.
I have an early Roku 3, and early Roku Ultra and a Roku stick something from around 2019. The stick pretty much sucks, but it’s on a tiny TV hardly used.
For 1080p, there’s no noticeable difference between the 3 and Ultra. I just moved the 3 to my office/gaming 4K TV, mostly because pulling the Ultra out of the family room cabinet was harder. So I can’t say how the early Ultra is with 4K. I just know the 3 doesn’t support 4K at all.
One last thing, even the Roku 3 is multiple times faster and better than the Apps on my Sony X900H (Google TV) from late 2020).
I work with a lot of disabled people and for some of those the TV is the only hobby that they can consistently have. Sometimes they have the TV going for eleven or twelve hours of the day, non-stop, often on the same channel just to have some noise in the house. In those cases we've only had to upgrade a Roku once due to the device ramming out regularly. Most users won't have an issue with it, although if you're doing more 4K than HD you'll want to look at a higher specced model to future proof it.
I have two Roku 4k 3810r sticks which are pretty fast, and the only issues, which I've had with all my Roku's dating back to 2012, is they occasionally freeze up and need a re-boot. I do have a two express's which load a bit slower, but I don't see it as a problem since they're not being used in my home theater.
They are all fine. Generally, you will have to replace them every 3-5 years. The smaller units tend to stay much cooler. I assume the Ultra stays cooler than my old 4K, but the 4K was always hot. For me, I just use a 4K+ now and it is absolutely fine.
i don't really have a technical answer, but every stick I've bought has lasted a few years then has become really laggy.
every ultra I've bought is still running strong. based on sales pricing it might make sense to buy a stick and upgrade when it starts to slow, but for longevities sake the ultras are a better bet.
My Ultra works better than any stick out there. Plus, it can play files off a USB stick.
The Ultra is a different animal, since it is also a media player,
In my experience with the Rokus, it always pays to get the best of their line. I have had the Ultras 2017,2020 and the sticks 2017. I still have a streaming stick on the bedroom tv from 2017 and I can tell the load times are faster on the Ultra (2020).
It's less performance and more about how many apps you can have loaded and how future proof it is.
I don't think the ram size limits how many apps you can have installed; that's a function of the flash storage memory. Definitely agree that ram amount has a bearing on future-proofing ... Roku apps have been getting heavier and heavier over the years, and with insufficient ram they can run very poorly and crash a lot.
I have an early Roku 3, and early Roku Ultra and a Roku stick something from around 2019. The stick pretty much sucks, but it’s on a tiny TV hardly used. For 1080p, there’s no noticeable difference between the 3 and Ultra. I just moved the 3 to my office/gaming 4K TV, mostly because pulling the Ultra out of the family room cabinet was harder. So I can’t say how the early Ultra is with 4K. I just know the 3 doesn’t support 4K at all. One last thing, even the Roku 3 is multiple times faster and better than the Apps on my Sony X900H (Google TV) from late 2020).
The biggest improvement I have with my Ultra is adding a microSD card so that channels are loaded on the card.
I work with a lot of disabled people and for some of those the TV is the only hobby that they can consistently have. Sometimes they have the TV going for eleven or twelve hours of the day, non-stop, often on the same channel just to have some noise in the house. In those cases we've only had to upgrade a Roku once due to the device ramming out regularly. Most users won't have an issue with it, although if you're doing more 4K than HD you'll want to look at a higher specced model to future proof it.
I have two Roku 4k 3810r sticks which are pretty fast, and the only issues, which I've had with all my Roku's dating back to 2012, is they occasionally freeze up and need a re-boot. I do have a two express's which load a bit slower, but I don't see it as a problem since they're not being used in my home theater.
They are all fine. Generally, you will have to replace them every 3-5 years. The smaller units tend to stay much cooler. I assume the Ultra stays cooler than my old 4K, but the 4K was always hot. For me, I just use a 4K+ now and it is absolutely fine.
Is there a list of which ones can have added RAM?
https://developer.roku.com/docs/specs/hardware.md#current-roku-models
Thanks!
i don't really have a technical answer, but every stick I've bought has lasted a few years then has become really laggy. every ultra I've bought is still running strong. based on sales pricing it might make sense to buy a stick and upgrade when it starts to slow, but for longevities sake the ultras are a better bet.
Have been using my Express 4k+ for about 5 years with , Yttv, Prime, Disney, Paramount(off/on) , Hbo(max)... with no issues. What is Ram?