Zune vs. iPod
By Ryan Block 
posted October 1st 2006 10:44PM
posted October 1st 2006 10:44PM
We're kind of surprised it took this long to get the two of 'em side by side, but here they are. The Zune is, of course larger, but it's kinda weird how much more exaggerated those size differences are when you're really eyeing the extremely-curved corners of the iPod. Ok, we're done, go ahead, get it all out.
all the Apple fanboys just love bitching don't they?
hey, guess what. Its Microsoft's debut into the mp3 player market. and they released an mp3 player to already put them on that same little golden pedestal the ipod has been lying comfortably on.
I mean honestly, how completely biased and one-track minded must these Apple fanboys be to dismiss this or any mp3 player that enters the market? Note: i bet more than half of the ipod owners here have never even played with a Zune, let alone jump to conclusions on to where the future of it goes, like if Apple fanboys are known for being such marketing analysts. We know the ipod is a best-seller, but knowing that fact doesn't make you a genius in corporate america.
I personally prefer the Zune just because I like trying new things, new ideas, even if it is Microsoft. Better them than Apple, because last time i went by the books, Apple seems to always collapse at the knees of Microsoft in any innovation they try to put out. I mean how many times must you watch Apple computers falter horribly knowing its just a no-contest against a flagship as big as Microsoft?
its the entrant in the mp3 market, not the final product of an idea that just sprung in the same year. If you're going to take the biased route based on your opinionated favoritism, then just don't post your opinion at all.
id wait a few generations for microsoft to work out all the problems and make it compatible with macs
As has been mentioned before, I too am glad Apple now has a competitor. Hopefully it will force them to lower their prices and include more "accessories when they sell the ipod" (ie. wall charger) That way I can enjoy a superior product for less.
I wonder why PSP didn't get as much rave about the wifi... maybe because it was worthless?
I have a Zune and my roommate has a IPod, so I have handled both models and compared them. The Zune has a larger screen, custom backgrounds, and more a durable case(doesnt scratch). Also, the circle button is not touch sensitive. The actual screens for both are very sensitive to scratches. I dont know if it is just mine, but the battery seems to run down quicker than an IPod. It is a matter of preference. I still like my Zune better than an IPod. I like having a larger screen and I dont have to worry about scratching the outer casing.
Apple is by no means equal to Microsoft. Many of my friends have had ipods, many of their families all have ipods. They always rub it in my face that I need to go out and buy an ipod, well I refuse to jump on the bandwagon of the ipod fanbase. I always tell them that something better will be let out of its cage by Microsoft, but they always laugh and proceed to play around on their click-wheels and watch their ripped of episodes of south park. I've been waiting for the day when ipod owners will scowl and regret ever purchasing this mindless Apple machine. Well, my friends that day is on the horizon, the microsoft warship is sailing to send the ipod keel boat down to "Davey Jones' locker"!
I'm just going to get this out on the table right now , I am pro-iPod, always was, always will be. But don't dismiss this just yet.
I like the Zune for making the music/video player more...let's say "social". You can share pics and music wirelessly, but not video, although that is understandable because it would take longer to transmit (maybe not because I don't know the capabilities of the Zune's wireless card, for all I know it could be the same one you find in high end laptops). Even though you can share music I've heard that the song will delete itself form the Zune in 3 plays and or days and you can never share that song with that Zune again. I guess that could be good in the sense that you could sample it before you buy it. But then iTunes let's you sample a 30 second clip of the song (now that's not the whole song, but what the heck it's free). And I don't see the point in sharing a song for 3 play throughs or 3 days when you can just listen to the song on the other person's Zune considering it's righ there. I also heard the Zune cannot intergrate with Media Player, bummer. In short I think the Zune has some good ideas in it but aren't put to full use, thank you once again Microsoft (sorry for that one). That is also an 80GB iPod that you are comparing to a 30GB Zune.
My final comments: I think the iPod has already saturated the marked pretty well and that Apple is pretty high up on it's perch with it. The iPod offers ease of use, which makes it so brilliant because it doesn't have too many frills. I am an iPod owner and have seen and compared an 80G iPod and a Zune side by side.
I got a Zune as a gift, had no idea what it was- played with it anyway- the software is TERRIBLE compared to iTUNES, nearly impossible to download videos to it, so who really cares how big the screen is if all you get to see is album art... In 2 weeks, I have toted it around the city in a huge bag- unprotected- with keys, change, sunglasses, picks, lighters, etc... and dropped it more that a few times on a variety of surfaces- NOT ONE scratch- ANYWHERE, also, the only place it ever gets fingerprints is the screen not that you're gonna really be using it anyway, since there is nothing to watch... The built in radio feature is handy. The Wi-Fi is over-rated and crap. No One has a Zune to share with and even IF they did, you only get 3 shares and 3 plays in 3 days- what is up with that restriction... There is talk of more things coming out for the Zune, but who wants to wait 18 months for some shit game or for the "zune marketplace" (which BTW is NOT compatible with "urge" of Microsoft's Media Player)to come out with over priced movies that are Zune compatible. A plus though, is it is compatible with nearly any headphones, car adapters etc... it doesn't have to be as specific as iPod. No fun accesories... I wouldn't recommend this unless you have a lot of patience... Or I WOULD recommend it, if you like to drop kick things... it can handle a mighty beating.
What about the interface of the zune? Also what about reliability of the product. My Dad's zune has had no problems since he got it and my brothers ipod (in the same amount of time) had sent his in to get "fixed" twice. Later he just gave up because shipping's a bitch and he went back to cds.
i think the zune is better because u can do so much more and until another ipod comes out im with the zune.
I dunno where people get the idea that Apple crumbles at the knees of microsoft with each computer release. If memory serves, Microsoft doesn't actually build computer systems, they simply provide their operating system as OEM preloads, but when it comes to retail, Windows, and now Vista are hardly worth it. They have terrible pricing despite having over 90% of the PC market.
As for the zune's capabilities, DRM and purposely dumped functionality pretty much kill its potency.
The photo here is misleading because it doesn't have anything, such as a third object, to give the two devices a scaled-perspective. In fact when you hold the zune it seems much smaller, and certainly more sleek and modern than the way it appears in this photo. The shadows obscure the finish (which by the way, including screen, is scratch resistant). You should see the devices in person before making a decision, plus I agree that it has a lot to do with what one wants to do with the device. Zune is great to view photos--like an in-pocket phot album--but the wireless function won't be useful unless use of the Zune becomes wide-spread--and I think the battery life quoted by zune is not accurate.
I think the zune is way better than the iPod it is like an iPod on friggen steroids becauseit has a bigger screen great picture quality awsome sound and is more easy to use and load songs to. I know this for a fact 'cause my dad got an iPod and I have a zune and he is not very comp. savy so I helped him and it took us about an hour to get him two CD's on it. Zune also has a BUILT IN radio unlike iPod's. So there ha ha ha!! In your face!!!! :p
I have to say that in my own opinion the ipod is much better than the Zune. I have had the zune since it first came out in November and eversince, it has given me a hard time. It contiuously skips and sometimes does not even turn on. I contacted Zune support (which by the way SUCKS!) and they said update the firmware. I updated 3 times and it still gives me trouble. The Zune market place has a very poor selection of of music and does not even compare to Itunes. It is Total BS that the Zune does not scratch. My zune is coverd in scratches, even the screen. To tell you the truth the Zune WiFi is not special.It drains the battery and try to find someone with a zune with the same music you want. I have had 3 ipods (Mini, Nano, 30gb) and they are great. I do not reccomend the Zune Get and IPOD!
So... i got a zune not so long, i was kinda happy and amaized with its screen, it is bigger than ipods, but what i found out that the battery wont last for very long. I like loud music, but zune wont/barely last for 9 hours on max volume, especialy if you are watching movies or music videos. ipod has better features such as games and diferent languages. i also found out that zune will turn off as soon as you get shocked (like from light switch) and you have to wait till it turns on, so i would sugest getting ipod instead of zune, but who knows maby zune will get better some day.
I just bought a 30gb ZUNE and a 30 gb iPod video. Same price. the zune is badass, you can share files and songs wirelessly. but i found out that if you share a song then your friend can only listen to it 3 times over a 3 day period, there are some loop holes around that though. The zune's gui is more customizable, and has a 'built in' protection case that looks and feels cool. they're the same length, the zune's height is slightly longer (obviously due to the screen size). and the zune is a little wider (thicker) but it has that built in protection that an ipod doesn't. at this point they both has pros and cons that make it hard to determine which is better. Obviously there's those weirdo's that are apple gooroos who would choose the ipod because of the brand. but brand is what determines why a lot of people purchase the things they do. I think the zune is cooler and newer technology and is backed up by Microsoft (the biggest software company on the globe). They're both about even in my book, it's just personal preference.
Well when the Zune comes to London, i am going to buy one. I will give my horrible iPod Nano 4GB 2G to my sister.
iTunes sucks, and i would rather have all Microsoft software running on my PC with Vista.
well microsoft sat back and took in and saw what the ipod had to offer and it took them like 5 models before the video was released and the zune has it all... radio video longer battery life (i have both the video ipod the back heats up and the battery dischages and the zune uses plastic...altho when u do the music share between the zunes it has a 3 day life span before its deleted or u have to buy it ur self...altho zunes can use wm or itunes
I'm a Zune owner, the plastic is not crappy it's pretty solid scratch resistant, about the size It's about right not too bulky and not to thin this gives the zune a more solid feel, not like it's competitor that feels so fragile.
Video, Radio, Pictures, Music, Wifi (It looks for other zunes nearby, and you can transfer music and pictures), great audio quality, great video quality and the screen is Hi Res. Pictures look very nice.
Ipod has been in the market longer that's why people like it, they are used to it.
Zune is a pretty good product. (ps 30GB is a lot of space I have not been able to go over 6G of used space)
I hope that my comments are helpful.
i own a zune and i have no complaints at all infact most of my friends are moving from ipods to zune as well...you got to remeber ipod has been around for awhile...as for zune its its first generation it has better picture quality and you can personalize it alot more plus the wifi....but being its first generation i belive it did a pretty good job....im sure its downfalls including size of the zune itself and being left with only a 30 gig hard drive will be fized by its second generation....i really have high hopes on microsoft to out due themselves once again
I hate it when poeple say stuff like "the Ipod is so much better than the zune becouse its smaller and it has a wider rang of memory and Itunse is somuch better than the zune media center". Go back to when the Ipod first came out and compare theme then. The zune just came out, Give it some time and it will be just as good as the Ipod.
-Dont have a zune yet, but I would pick it over the Ipod any day
If you guys are having any trouble deciding, here is a review that my friend wrote about the Zune and how it works. I hope it helps you!
http://www.relevantreviews.net/ultimate-microsoft-zune-review/
this rocks my socks man i was gonna get a affro for christmas but that zune thing is da bomb
*peace out*
I have over 4000 songs in my itunes library, with no REAL backup. How would i get them on my zune? If the itunes and zune are not even remotly compatible, how does apple intend to convert people from the Apple ways?--jj Binks
In all due respect, the zune is dropping price. I've seen them sell brand new in the stores for $220 with a case, car adapter, and other things.
personally I bought mine for $150 on craigslist brand new in the box.
the screen is EXTREMELY durable! I've been carrying it in my pocket, throwning it in the car, etc. for about 3 weeks now, and not a single scratch! now, I wear tight jeans, and it fits into my pocket quite easily.
I would also like to say, I dont buy mp3's. I rip them off my cds, lps, and tapes that I already have. plus, most of my mp3's I cannot buy anywhere. I like how the zune identifies a song, then downloads the album image.
oh. the screen is VERY clear, even with a lower quality file, the zune converts it, and equalizes the colour, so my doctor who video's arent all dark and such.
personally, I find the control's and interface on the zune much more easier and enjoyable than the ipod. though, the software that the zune comes with leaves me very disappointed, mainly because of all the bugs and handicaps, but mostly because I cant use it on windows 2000.
other than that, I wouldnt want to go back to an ipod. (I also had trouble using the ipod because of long nails.)
The Ipod is just a trend, it wouldn't matter if the Zune was absolutly perfect in every way, the fact that everyone has an ipod is good enough to convience most that it is better than any other MP4 out there. I think the Zune is better than the Apple, even though it's not as "sleek" or "stylish", the Zune has a larger screen, stores more pictures and videos than Ipod, and is built as a computer instead of a memory device, making it possible to upgrade the Zune, while as if a new version of the Zune comes out, you can enjoy all the benefits of the new product w/o buying a new one, while as an apple user, there just screwed
I agree with the whole things that it should be compared with the 30gb ipod. I myself have owned a 30gb ipod 5.5g, 80gb 5.5.g and a zune. I personally didn't like holding the 30gb ipod (felt it was too thin). One reason i like zune though, is i run windows vista, own an xbox 360.. I can get much more integration with zune software and music.
I have an ipod & my boyfriend has the Zune. We have had many a war about ipod vs. Zune. I am a major fan of my sweet little ipod, but alas I am now going to get a Zune. After all the crazy hacks that they have come up with for zune I am now hooked. Also the zune membership is $14.99 a month and you get un limited downloads. there used to be some noise about the songs disapearing if your membership cancelled that is no more with the right patch. Also you can now use it as a portable hard drive. Take that ipod!
Check out this awesome site comparing the Zune with the iPod and make you decision from there.