Old 30GB Zune tops Amazon's DAP list

Make of it what you will, but Microsoft's now-old 30GB Zune is perched atop Amazon's bestseller list of hard drive-based MP3 players. 'Course, you've had plenty of opportunities to snag one in the past for a few bucks lower than the current $179.99 asking price, but apparently, the general public has taken quite kindly to the lower cost of entry. As of now, the white 30GB Zune is sitting pretty at numero uno, while the black iteration holds the bronze; the brown version even cracked the top five. Just sayin', that's all.

[Via ZuneRama]

[GoreTEX @ Oct 4th 2007 7:42PM]

ZUNE2 >>>>>> iPOS

[YourSlay3r @ Oct 4th 2007 8:06PM]

Zune is great success, great success!

[Carlos @ Oct 4th 2007 8:29PM]

Yeah this Amazon list is just HARD DRIVE based DAPs - and is flawed because the iPod Classic isn't being counted as a Hard Drive based DAP even though it is.

If you look at the all DAP list on Amazon Apple iPods control 9 of the top 10.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_hi/002-7017325-4948064?ie=UTF8&rs=15752041&rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A1065836%2Cn%3A172630&page=1

The iPod Classic is listed as 3, 5 and 6 on the DAP list but doesnt show up on the Hard Drive based list - bogus. By the way the first Zune is ranked 14th.

Sorry to burst your bubble Zune fans, iPod is still king of the hill.

[mfed3 @ Oct 4th 2007 8:45PM]

^ shut up fanboy

[Carlos @ Oct 4th 2007 8:49PM]

Looks like ZuneRama.com just made a correction to their post, Engadget should follow soon.

From the source ZuneRama -
"*Edit - the Amazon list is, for mysterious reasons, not including Apple's newer hard drive models. Thanks to all who advised me about that. Arrgh!"

Not to add insult to injury but the old 5.5G iPod was beating out the Black and Brown Zune on that HD DAP Amazon list.

[Bistro88 @ Oct 5th 2007 12:33AM]

The zunes a decent player - the fact it doesn't limit your audio formats and allows for AVI playback is a plus. Apple is just creating a monopoly on their own shit and it will only hurt consumers in the long run. Zune should try and add more features like these players:

http://www.mp4nation.com/products/index.php?PID=mp4

[Vanilla Spice @ Oct 5th 2007 1:47AM]

@Bistro88 - I think you have that backwards. It is the Zune which has more limited audio support.

iPod = mp3, mp3 vbr, aac, aac protected, apple lossless, wav, aiff, audible

Zune = mp3, mp3 vbr, wma, wma protected, wma lossless, aac

The iPod supports wav and aiff while the Zune doesn't. The Zune only just added aac support, and yet the iPod still trumps it 8 audio formats to 6.

[Mike Botros @ Oct 5th 2007 9:15AM]

Only just added AAC support? It's had it from the start.

[Vanilla Spice @ Oct 9th 2007 1:23AM]

Ah, okay, I apologise.

I was confused by the Zune vs iPod specification article on engadget, which listed Zune's audio formats and ended with "MP3, MP3 VBR, AAC (expected)".

I thought that "(expected)" meant they were expecting AAC support to be added in v2, but I guess they were trying to say "this entire list, is what we expect will be supported in v2".

Doesn't change the count of formats each player supports, though!

[lowrankme @ Oct 4th 2007 7:42PM]

cue the Zune fan plants on
3
2
1
GO

[dj-kenpo @ Oct 4th 2007 8:23PM]

well, it' clear unless you're a fool, that they're not 'plants'. unless microsoft just bought all the zunes off woot and amazon.

tool.

[kornykaratebboy @ Oct 5th 2007 9:36AM]

Clap clap clap!
everyone, let's hear it for djkenpo and fanboyism at its finest!
Good job in your constant defense of second rate gadgets. The world is a better place with you in it!

[Don is Good @ Oct 4th 2007 7:43PM]

.... still an expensive door stop ;o) LOL Jk

[LJKelley @ Oct 4th 2007 7:46PM]

Way to go ZUNE!!! It this just a short lived spell due to the extra publicity or will it last?

[vien @ Oct 4th 2007 7:47PM]

i'm sure microsoft announcing zune2 functions for zune1 has nothing to do with it. This is quite the turnaround eh? apple going against fans and microsoft going for fans.

[Ike Turner @ Oct 4th 2007 7:47PM]

Props to Microsoft for this. See that's what supporting (new firmware..) your older hardware does...

[Cagrino @ Oct 4th 2007 8:10PM]

Exactly! As much as I like my iPods, I don't remember getting any new features through firmware upgrades. Maybe the Touch will be different... *fingers crossed hoping*

[lindtdale @ Oct 4th 2007 7:50PM]

This will definitely last... for under 200 bucks, youll get the new firmware soon with all the great interface and capabilities. Now this is the answer of microsoft to those people who wants a cheaper player.

[Matthew @ Oct 4th 2007 7:52PM]

Might want to check the source...in this case they are admitting that there is some error.

None of the HD based iPods are in that list. If you look instead at the whole electronics store there are 5 different iPod revs (including HD versions) above the highest ranked Zune in the list.

[Future Man @ Oct 4th 2007 7:53PM]

Well, if you actually read the list that you linked to, for some reason the iPod Classic isn't included.

If you go to the list for all MP3 players, the Classics are all ahead of the Zune except for the Silver 160 GB.

[MacVicta @ Oct 4th 2007 8:10PM]

Something is wrong with Amazon's category listings.

They don't seem to have the iPod classic as a hard disk drive mp3 player.

Top Selling mp3 players:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/electronics/172630

The 80gb iPod classic has been in the top 3 since about 2 days after Apple announced them, along with the iPod touch and iPod nano with video.

Also, look at the Top Selling items in Electronics:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/electronics/

So, the iPod classic is the #7 item in Electronics yet it's not the top selling HDD player?

I bet the Zune fanboys were ecstatic for a minute there.

[Argot @ Oct 5th 2007 5:01AM]

@MacVicta:

No no, nothing wrong here. You'll find the Apple products and lists under the "Wood, concrete and Bricks" section.

[Muneer @ Oct 4th 2007 7:55PM]

http://www.woot.com/special.aspx?k=vipzune

Get a black Zune for $105 landed.

[Jeremiah Hoffman @ Oct 4th 2007 11:47PM]

thank you for this short and imformative post/comment (non-sarcastic, really thank you) i bought one because, well why not?

[michael @ Oct 4th 2007 8:02PM]

Engadget caught by a BUG in Amazon's categorization. The new iPods aren't listed as "hard drive players."

Back up to look at all MP3 players and watch the Zune get shut out.

[suv4x4 @ Oct 4th 2007 9:30PM]

They aren't. They run on brand new and improved pure magic now :)

It wouldn't make sense anyway to have the old Zune on top right before new gen launch.

Interesting that people buy most the white one. I'd say the white looks worst of all, but just personal opinion.

Do people buy it since they think of the white iPod? May they confuse them both? Remember, not every Amazon buyer is a complete geek knowing bolts and nuts of every iPod generation.

[hurricane @ Oct 4th 2007 10:59PM]

@suv4x4

They (including me) buy the white Zune, not because it looks the best, but because at one point it was cheaper than the other colors (for whatever reason; overstock?) by about $30 (I got mine for $169.99 w/ free 2-day shipping w/ Amazon Prime). I would have bought an iPod if it would have been that inexpensive (and came with a 14-day pass to download unlimited music for free...).

Also, I don't see why people are hatin' the Zune; the fact that it is actually selling fairly well is what Microsoft was going for (they weren't going for a 1 hit KO, and I doubt the Zune will ever outsell the iPod, but let's face it: Microsoft is all of a sudden becoming fairly generous to its customers, a nice change).

Let me just ask this: Why can't we all be friends? I mean, it's not like hate gets people anywhere.

[hurricane @ Oct 4th 2007 11:00PM]

Oh, and forgot to mention, the purchase I made was before all the Zune 2 info.

[John @ Oct 4th 2007 8:04PM]

I guess the firmware update bit got people interested, although the iPods aren't on that list. I think it's great that the people who bought the original zunes benefit still from the new release.

[okalayjian @ Oct 4th 2007 8:12PM]

for some reason the new iPod Classic isnt categorized as Hard drive based in amazons system if it was, it would surely be ahead of the zune. Dont get so happy so quickly engadget. Microsoft still sucks and will always suck.

[Devin Brown @ Oct 4th 2007 8:20PM]

more microsoft propaganda. they really are trying to create artificial buzz any way they possibly can.

[dj-kenpo @ Oct 4th 2007 8:25PM]

ummm... ya... stay in school.

[lar @ Oct 4th 2007 8:26PM]

Yes, because Microsoft is responsible for an error in Amazon's product categorization.

[Dan @ Oct 4th 2007 8:21PM]

As others have pointed out every current iPod is not categoried into a sub category below MP3 Players, so none of the currently available iPods are even on that list. Were they there, the Zune would not fare so well.

Here's links for a couple MP3 players categories (one is the parent category for Hard Drive-Based, Zune = 14th):

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_ex_n_3/102-0543851-1827329?ie=UTF8&rs=15752041&rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A1065836%2Cn%3A172630

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/electronics/172630/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_e_1_2_last/102-0543851-1827329

[aaron @ Oct 4th 2007 8:42PM]

i just got one of those 130 dollar zunes off woot and I have to defend it because it really is better than my ipod.. Yes, ITUNES is amazing but as far as hardware and interface, I like the ZUNE better.
It may be cool to deride and mock Microsoft for their clunky marketing efforts and me-too isms but the device is VERY solid hardware. You guys should be more objective about Ipod alternatives because not ALL of us have our lips wrapped around S. Jobs dong....

[rip @ Oct 4th 2007 8:56PM]

Does the Zune work on all platforms? No.

So it is not a real alternative.

[aaron @ Oct 4th 2007 9:04PM]

i wish it worked with itunes... and mac... your point is taken. ipod wasn't all platforms either until a few years ago..

[hurricane @ Oct 4th 2007 11:14PM]

@ rip

The only reason Apple gave the iPod and iTunes Windows support is because a vast majority of people use Windows, not Macs. It would be pretty impractical for Microsoft to make the Zune Mac-compatible for that reason.

And people, we already get the point: the iPod still sells better than the Zune (although the Zune has been selling better now than...ever, maybe?). There is no need for hundreds of you iPod fanboys to post links to Amazon to supposedly kill any hopes of fans of the Zune. It's not like anyone expected the Zune to outsell the iPod in its 100 forms...

[Nicky-Larson @ Oct 4th 2007 8:46PM]

Well I would have to say I do not get what all the charade is about. I have been a Microsoft user all my life, but when it comes to product design ("cool"), and music management domain, I give it to apple. There is no other. Lets all accept the fact that Microsoft is just a new kid in this "music" block. But when they make the effort, why can't the harmony reign. I would buy the Zune if it has something that the iPod doesn't have. But the Zune outselling the iPod, COMMON PEOPLE....me no apple fanboy, but me likey telly the truth. iPod kicks the Zune's a$$ anytime....
in terms of sales that is...........

[rip @ Oct 4th 2007 8:54PM]

eh, there is some serious spin happening here. What a surprise for microsofties.

Zune is doing well in the "portable digital media player" category. Which, apparently does not include iPods or Sandisk...

However, in the total MP3 player category, the iPod occupies 7 of the top 10 spots, including the top 4. And 18 of the top 25 sellers are iPods.

That old Zune 30GB barely makes the list, at 25.

And obviously, it does not mention actual numbers. My guess is that the difference between the #1 spot and 25 is several hundred thousand units.

[Zeus the God @ Oct 4th 2007 9:00PM]

You guys don't understand. For a player that was pushed into an already saturated market with tough competition, and doing this well with such little advertising, its doing great.

You all need to start looking at the big picture, not just in the here and now, 'cus the Zune is going to be right up there with the best selling iPods. Just you wait.

[Devin Brown @ Oct 4th 2007 9:48PM]

what you are not understanding is that the article is wrong, and the zune isn't doing as well as you would like to think (or the microsoft shills would like you to think).

[mfed3 @ Oct 4th 2007 9:10PM]

agreed. apple in the dap market is the new sony in the gaming industry. and zune is obviously the xbox 360 after the xbox 1 coming in and pushing everyone aside. apple will continue to rest on their laurels and release stupid products that dont improve the product for its primary use. MUSIC. sony failed with the ps3 because it forgot the roots of playstation and fucked over all their loyal fans. meanwhile microsoft listens to what its customers want and release a kick ass product with whats best for the customer. bravo go zune and go xbox.

[Devin Brown @ Oct 4th 2007 9:49PM]

i beg to differ. sony flopped with the PS3 for no reason other than price. they overestimated the amount of money people were willing to dish out for a gaming console.

if you call the new ipod classic (and nano) firmware apple "resting on it's laurels" any more than microsoft with this incemental firmware update you are clearly blinded by the fuzz (fake buzz). and to ignore the significance of the ipod touch and iphone (still an ipod at heart) is a major, major oversight.

[dj-kenpo @ Oct 5th 2007 12:09AM]

ughhhh this devin kid is really starting to annoy me. can we please implement an age minimum for the net?

people that like the zune don't do so becuase they've been brain washed by some company.

I think it's clear who has been brainwashed by corporate propaganda..

[Devin Brown @ Oct 5th 2007 1:12AM]

@kenpo-

just because you don't follow the same path of logic that i do does not mean i'm young or immature. if you would like to take what i've said and explain why it's wrong be my guest, otherwise you're just being an ass.

the point i'm making is that outside of these few tech sites, where people can post anonymously, i have heard absolutely zero buzz about the zune in the past or present. it is a well known fact that microsoft pays plenty of money for online shills to create a false sense of "buzz" around their products. they did the same thing with the launch of vista. sure, i am erring on the side of skepticism but judging from the amount of coverage coinciding with the anti-apple propaganda being pushed so heavily (again, almost entirely online) i think it is fairly justified.

[Ondra Soukup @ Oct 4th 2007 9:11PM]

I wanted to comment "Insanity at its best" but I see it's all sorted out now :)

Zeus: Such little advertising ?! Are you serious :D ?

[Zeus the God @ Oct 4th 2007 9:46PM]

Compared to all the shit that Apple and iPod get in advertising, there is a minuscule amount that was out for the Zune. Granted, there were a few commercials, but those were short lived, unlike the ones for iPod, and you do get the Zune banners every once in a while on Engadget- and that is nothing compared to all the pop-ups and banners talking about how you've one 2 free iPods and whatnot. That is advertising in and of itself.

[DP @ Oct 4th 2007 11:29PM]

Wow Ondra, you're lost.

[wetworker @ Oct 4th 2007 9:11PM]

Man over board, iPod owners are jumping ship.