Roku's $30 'Express' is no Chromecast killer - here's why

Every year we get a new crop of media streamers, and every year the upgrades are incremental.

They get a little bit faster. Sometimes they get a little bit thinner. Every now and then you get some expected perks like 4K and HDR support, or maybe some digital assistant magic, but for most TV owners there's no pressing need to upgrade.

So, if you're one of the companies hawking these little app-playing boxes, how do you keep the business growing?

Well, if you're Roku, you apparently attack the lowest common denominator, and make the most inexpensive streamer possible. This, despite the fact Roku already sells an inexpensive streamer that's also very good.

And so we have the Roku Express, which is a $30 Roku. That sounds appealing! Roku has made great, easy-to-use streamers for many years now. Getting one for that low of a price would be steal. Unfortunately, while the Express has the same perks as Roku boxes on the surface, its hardware is just too compromised for comfort. Here's what I mean.