The 4K doesn’t run 4k graphics anyway and even the 2021 version doesn’t use the latest apple chips, it’s worse than an iPhone!. The normal version is capped at 30fps and 1080/basic settings (so is 4k, no difference there) but expect drops in group rides also) so graphically it’s really quite limited, also the bluetooth connection limitation may be an issue if you have chest strap PM and smart trainer, but it depends what you are after, some are quite snobby about it looking at fb groups, and apple v pc is as bad as keto v carbs or tubs v clinchers. Whatever is easier really.
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I use an Apple Watch via the companion app for HR.
I’m not bothered about HR on Zwift, as it’s all power innit.
I’ll have a look at HR to check if it’s massively wrong, but it’s usually in the right ball park.
I’m now thinking I’m going to lose my second screen, so I’ll have to just Zwift and not watch YouTube instead 
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Between 30secs and 2mins depending. Things to watch, nothing in background, especially Chrome (or edge) as they are really resource heavy. Running it from an SSD makes it much faster also.
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What you describe isn’t my experience at all. The only group ride dropouts I’ve had are when there are simply too many in the ride and when that happens, it happens to my clubmates as well.
I’ve raced with the ATV and can’t see what the issue is? Everything renders heaps better than before (this is plugged into a 26" LCD tv). Been running my chest strap for HR, paired directly to the ATV, as well as the trainer and remote. I guess if you had a separate PM that could be an issue.
I can’t correlate what you describe at all. I’ve been really happy with the ATV.
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I think you might just find the same step difference with a good PC set up, no drop outs even when there are simply too many in the ride, and possibly better graphics - although the graphics in zwift aren’t that high anyway so it might still be “good” there. But you certainly don’t need to - Maryka runs a 2012 era laptop despite the better machines being in the turbo room already to go.
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And that’s OK,
Dropouts are different to frame rate slowdown, it’s just what’s shown on screen and update frequency. Apple cap at 30fps at 1080 basic (when you see a pc running ultra 4k yat 60fps you will then realise the difference) You’ll get 60fps at true 4k on the version I mentioned (except Neokyo due to Zwifts awful inbuilt graphics engine)
But YMMV, it’s about your expectations and what you want from the experience.
Yeah I guess so. I’m comparing it to my ageing old Macbook and waiting 10 mins plus to get the thing up and running. Anything is an improvement on that!
I do remember seeing the sloths in the Jungle for the first time with ATV and thinking ‘how long have they been there’? 
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Where do you get a cheap 1650 card from? All the ones on ebay seem to be £££
I run zwift on an old Dell business desktop with a SSD. It’s functional but graphics are very blocky and wondering if a dedicated card would be a decent upgrade.
Have a look for a 1050 Ti instead. They’re about £110.
Can do 1440p at 60fps or full 4K at 45fps.
I read the posts on ZPCMR but honestly its for nerds, are you interested in turning it on & doing some good training or looking at the render quality of the grass at the side of the road because honestly most of the time i’m on Zwift i’m also on Netflix. & then this neokyo has got them in a right twiz because their £200 Frankenstein PC now has crap frame rates 
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Decided to take the step up from old laptop to dedicated gaming PC… night and day.
£200 pre-loved on eBay. i5, 1050ti, SSD. Was bought for a 12yo to play fortnite etc but decided he’d rather stick with his Xbox. Listing was littered with typo’s (gamming pc etc) so probably got lucky on that front.
Check specs vs performance here
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If there’s enough blood going to your brain to be able to see blades of grass you’re not riding hard enough!
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I’m currently running a 1050ti and 7th gen i7 at ~60fps at 1440 in Ultra. It’s fine also.
Unfortunately at the moment they can be due to the chip shortage and “miners” stealing all of the gpus but if you keep an eye out and have time they do pop up but thats where the somplicity of ATV comes in i suppose. The FB group I mentioned is UK based and people share “finds” on there.
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The cheaper end are the ones that seem OK, and still far better than ATV. I think the funniest is the 3k gaming rigs that run AAA games at 120fps that struggle with 1990s graphics of Zwift which shows how badly coded it really is.
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Oh and I resemble that remark 
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I probably should have said computer nerds too but I guess that wouldn’t change your comment either 
Being nerdy is no bad thing either & it’s the new cool isn’t it? I just don’t think super high quality rendering from a PC top trumps the ease of use of ATV in this application.
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Unless you enjoy building a PC and get satisfaction from that?
But yeah, I’m thinking of ATV now 
It’ll make me concentrate more on Zwift, instead of aimlessly spinning around watching LIONel lose his marbles over BlumminIden
Would be interesting* to see a breakdown of how people access the platform and if that changes for different users.
Remember seeing a piece a few months ago that most users just ride. Don’t race, don’t do workouts, just ride alone or with friends. Racers were actually the minority.
If you are just riding, you might care about the look more. Equally, you might care about ease of use more.
If you are racing seriously, are there other considerations like lag and dual recording that mean other platforms are more important?
*interesting as a ‘nerd’ 
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Yeah I read something similar that most people just ride. I can’t help but think that’s mostly because they never tried caused by some barrier, hardware or lack of knowledge preventing them. I know Zwift themselves are working on their own hardware to make it simpler/easier/cheaper to get started. I would guess most people just want to turn it on & go.
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The other thing to consider with ATV is desk space/ footprint. The thing is very small, which given its sat on my garage workbench, is very handy.
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