 Review by an actual Zune and iPod owner Review created: 12/07/06(updated 07/14/07) 243 of 250 people found this review helpful.
I own a 5th generation iPod and bought a black Zune last week. Why? Primarily because I am a gadget-freak and I like the idea of a bigger screen & WiFi sharing of songs.
The Zune comes in a very nice package and with clear installation instructions. I didn't run into any problems on Windows XP SP2 so I cannot comment on some of the problems other people have encountered.
After using it for a week this is how the Zune stacks up against the iPod:
iPod has the advantage in:
-Size: Zune is slightly longer and thicker than the iPod but it's not that noticable. Slight advantage for iPod.
-Software: Zune software is nice and works but iPod's software is more straightforward and easier to use. Yes, even my iPod software occasionally crashes but overall I like it better.
-Applications & Games: no games and apps on Zune yet, some nice apps on the iPod but the games on iPod are pathetic. That's what my Nintendo DS is for.
-Many more accessories! It took me a while to find a nice case for the Zune but I assume this will get better over time. Still iPod rules the accessory market.
-External USB Device: I can use my iPod as a giant "memory stick", the Zune has this function disabled - although there is way to enable that (do a Google search).
Zune and iPod are even:
-Battery Life: Zune (WiFi turned off) and iPod are about the same, 13 1/2 to 14 hours with screen off.
-Interface: I liked Zune's menu structure much better than iPod's but I miss the iPod's great click-wheel. Also interface responds quicker on the Zune.
-Sound Quality: listening to music with my Sony headphones I could not hear any difference in sound quality.
-Headphones: the included headphones with the iPod and the Zune are equally crappy. The first accessory you buy should be new headphones.
Zune has the advantage in:
-Screen: ZUNE WINS by a huge margin, screen is bigger and brighter, absolutely stunning!
-Materials: iPod's sensitive chrome shell always bugged me and the screen on my iPod is horribly scratched despite a protective case, Zune's black/blue shell looks very nice and it seems to be impervious to finger prints, Zune's screen seems much more scratch resistent too.
-Video: Forget the iPod! I converted some DVDs to WM9 and watched them on my Zune, it's a delight! The screen, the landscape mode, the brightness - wonderful. On a high quality setting I was able to fit around 60h of video onto the Zune.
-Pictures: again thanks to the screen the Zune beats the iPod. Finally I can show off some baby pictures without people squinting.
-WiFi: yeah, I like it. Granted the 3-day/3-play limitation is annoying but I have received a few cool songs so far. Problem is: there aren't too many Zune owners yet.
-Radio: HUGE advantage for the Zune. I am at the gym, watching TV and tuning in to the sounds on my Zune. Why Apple hasn't included this yet in the iPod is beyond me.
-Song purchase: I love the option of "all you can eat" for $15/month. Granted most of my music is ripped from CDs but $15/month for all the music I want is pretty compelling.
OVERALL VERDICT: I love my iPod, I LOVE MY ZUNE EVEN MORE. If Microsoft can write some applications & games and improve the Zune PC software they'll have a perfect consumer device.
To be fair: if you already have an iPod and have no need for radio & better video capabilities then there is no need to upgrade to a Zune. If you want better video, like the idea of radio and WiFi then go for the Zune!
Review ID: 10000000002485827  Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our guidelines, it will be posted within 24 hours. You cannot vote on the helpfulness of a review you wrote. Your request cannot be processed at this time. Please try again later.   Can Microsoft compete? 44 of 51 people found this review helpful.
Lots of people out there are going to answer that question with a definitive NO. The Ipod has become so set in the culture that it will be nigh impossible for any company to put a dent in the Apple MP3 market. However, I feel that Microsoft has something good here that wll in fact give some hope to those of us who have not drank the Apple Kool-Aid
The Zune offers many of the same facets that the Ipod does. It has a nice 30GB hard drive, sleek design, and it's own marketplace service for people to get their hands on legit music titles. However, it also offers some things not available in the Ipod: larger screen that has side-positioning technology, a subscription service for those who just want to "borrow" music, and a built in FM radio receiver. Those are some pretty big points of sale for this item.
There are of course some drawbacks. Microsoft's Zune Marketplace does not offer the selection that the ITunes store does currently. No movies or TV shows are available to download currently as well. Plus, the Zune only comes in one size and 2 colors, where Ipods come in many shapes and sizes and colors.
As you can see there are many pros and cons for the Zune. Hopefully, as time goes on, the Zune will only get better. It is great piece of hardware to have right now. I have one and love it. Goes with me everywhere. Even gave my Ipod away (ok..it was old and beat up, but doesn't change the fact :P)
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