I am upset with my Roku Extremely’s USB port

The Roku Ultra is among the finest streaming packing containers available on the market, and relying on the particular person, it could be a greater choose than my beloved Apple TV 4K. At their core, each units do the identical factor, they usually even include some good bonuses that you do not see on streaming sticks. What I am speaking about are the USB ports, and for those who reap the benefits of these, you possibly can open up a bit extra performance out of your common streaming machine.

These ports are good in case you have a slideshow to point out at a household gathering or if you wish to listen to music you will have downloaded. I am unable to deny, these are good makes use of, however the issue is that the Roku Extremely is not actually distinctive in its potential to do this. My common TV’s USB ports can do the same thing, so it type of renders my Roku Extremely’s USB port ineffective. That is not a giant deal since I did not purchase my Roku Extremely planning on utilizing the USB port on a regular basis, however it’s nonetheless a bummer that it successfully does nothing that my TV cannot do already.

The Roku Extremely USB port falls flat

It is a good concept, although

Having extra ports is rarely a foul factor as a result of there isn’t any telling what anyone may must plug in sometime. The issue is that my TV has greater than loads for this particular want, so what worth does my Roku Extremely carry to the desk? The reply isn’t rather a lot. The large factor is that I am unable to use the USB port for something apart from studying units. Flash drives and exhausting drives work, but when I needed to plug in a pair of headphones for nighttime listening, it isn’t going to work. The reply to this drawback is to make use of Bluetooth and pair that approach, however that defeats the aim of getting the USB port.

As a consequence of my TV having a few USB ports, I am unable to consider a lot I can do with my Roku Extremely’s port that makes lots of sense. Happily, it isn’t the tip of the world, because the Roku Extremely excels in the rest I ask of it, so that is extra of a bonus characteristic merely not being as beneficial as I assumed it may very well be. The Roku Extremely is a superb machine, and I am glad I’ve one. I simply would not advocate anyone to exit and purchase one simply to make use of the USB port.

No less than the Roku Extremely has the port

Credit score is due when it is due

My Roku Extremely has the benefit over Apple right here, as my first-gen Apple TV 4K does not have a USB port in any respect. I figured a part of that’s as a result of Apple was nonetheless forcing Lightning on us on the time, however even the third-gen mannequin does not have a port in any respect.

I suppose I am unable to be upset about that, as a result of it isn’t like I used to be going to get a lot use out of my Apple TV’s USB ports anyway. Nonetheless, it is all the time nicer to have the choice than not. That is particularly the case when the Apple TV 4K prices rather more than a Roku Extremely — you possibly can ceaselessly discover the Extremely on sale whereas the Apple TV 4K is rarely discounted.

I do not know the way many individuals on the market are making a buying determination primarily based on a single USB port, however for those who’re on the market, the Roku Extremely is the winner right here over the Apple TV 4K. In the event you needn’t have a USB port in your machine, then both of them is okay. The Roku Extremely can do some bit extra, however what you get out of the port boils right down to how you intend to make use of your machine and in case your TV has USB ports to spare.