Poll: New iPods vs. new Zunes, what're you buying?

It would have been juicier if Microsoft hadn't announced the fall Zune lineup a day early and gone directly head-to-head with Apple's newly refreshed iPod lineup, but the fact is that if you're in the market for a new player the past 48 hours have delivered a slew of new options. Microsoft concentrated on the software side of the equation with Zune 3.0, but Redmond's players themselves got a WiFi music store, some new games, and Buy From FM, while Apple added in new Genius playlists across the board and updated the iPod nano's form factor and UI. At the high end of the capacity scale, the Zune seems to have the win on paper -- both the Zune 120 and the iPod classic frustratingly top out at 120GB, but the classic's stagnated essentially at the level of the 5.5G video iPod while the Zune 120 carries all the features of its smaller siblings. On top of all that, you have the newly-thinner iPod touch, with all of its browsing, media, gaming, and third-party application features -- and the lost purity of purpose adding all features those entails. That's a ton of choices -- so c'mon, kids, what's it going to be?

What new iPod or Zune are you most interested in?

Flash ZuneiPod nanoiPod classicZune 120iPod touchiPod shuffle -- no, we didn't forget youNone of 'em -- give me an Archos, Creative, SanDisk, or iriver any dayVote

[Kris @ Sep 10th 2008 12:05PM]

Shut up

[fred @ Sep 10th 2008 12:11PM]

Wait, I just noticed something.

You have 4 options for iPods, but only 2 for Zune when you have the Zune 30, 8, 4, 16, 80, 120?

[OneLove @ Sep 10th 2008 12:14PM]

None of 'em -- Give me a real player that supports more codecs (divx,xvid,mkv) and isn't so tightly controlled.

[JR @ Sep 10th 2008 12:17PM]

Fred, get over it. There are more ipod lines than zune lines.

[JJV @ Sep 10th 2008 12:18PM]

@ Fred because this poll is about which NEW one you are most INTERESTED in....

[fred @ Sep 10th 2008 12:22PM]

The Classic is not new, other than a smaller HD, and the Shuffle just got new colors.

So why are they there?

[Kamokazi @ Sep 10th 2008 12:25PM]

Fred, I'm no fan of Apple at all, but the poll is pretty fair. The Zune only has 2 different lines with different capacities. The iPod has 4 different lines. They didn't list the Nano 8 and 16GB separately, so why should they do the same with the Zune?

[Zak @ Sep 10th 2008 12:34PM]

Fred: Microsoft does not have an answer to the Shuffle or the Touch. If they did, I'm sure they would have been included in this poll. I'm sure that's obvious to everybody but you. You'll also notice that Endaget didn't list the Touch 8, 16, 32, Nano 8, 16, Shuffle 1, 2 in the poll either.

Not sure why that has to be explained to you multiple times, but I hope you get it now.

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 10th 2008 12:35PM]

Amen.

And how in the world are this many people buying new iPods, anyway? Don't you fucking people already have like 8 by now?

Oh yeah, Apple users.

Enjoy the new iPod, guys!

[Rhino @ Sep 10th 2008 12:39PM]

No SONY?? or ... SONI??

[Ellianth @ Sep 10th 2008 12:46PM]

There should have been these two options:

None of them, i'm keeping the Zune i already have.

[Zak @ Sep 10th 2008 12:52PM]

Serial: So... what you're saying is that you couldn't think of anything to add to the conversation so you just decided to insult "Apple users". Nice.

[Quix @ Sep 10th 2008 1:30PM]

Good grief, fred. Astroturf Different.

You're the yin to clak's yang. Equally annoying trolls from opposing camps.

[CraigJ @ Sep 10th 2008 1:16PM]

So, serial, I'm a Windows user with 6 iPods (from 2003 to current). I replace my iPods every couple of years like I replace all my other computer shit. Just like the 99.9% of the people that read this blog. Are you in the .1%?

[iTunes iPod @ Sep 10th 2008 1:26PM]

zune has 2% market share, LMFAO

:)

[Zak @ Sep 10th 2008 1:30PM]

jakem: More insults, awesome. You let me know when you can either make some kind of point or counter any of the points I made. Until then, all can assume is that you're either too stupid to respond intelligently, or you just blindly hate Apple and anybody who appears to like them. Either way, it doesn't make you look very good.

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 10th 2008 1:56PM]

"...let me know when you can either make some kind of point or counter any of the points I made."

Classic 14 year old internet callout. "COUNTER MY POINTS!" It's so easy to spot early teen net battlers.

[Lars @ Sep 10th 2008 1:56PM]

@Rhino: Yeah, really. I chose the "None of em" option, even though I could care less about the devices listed there too. Also, they should have an option for music-phones.

I'm still using my PSP for everything. It's decent for music on the go, but even better for RSS audio since it just streams it directly from the interwebs to your ears. Plus I can check email or play GOOD games and it's great for video with it's lovely large screen. And upgradeable storage means I don't have to toss it in favor of a new model just for a capacity upgrade.

I can't wait for the day when music-player cybernetic implants become a reality... that's what I'm really holding out for.

[Zak @ Sep 10th 2008 2:03PM]

Serial: Right, because the teen net battlers are the ones that try to argue using points, facts and logic, where the "adult, mature" posters are the ones that do nothing but name calling? Are you sure you don't have that backwards or anything?

[nd @ Sep 10th 2008 2:17PM]

"The Classic is not new"

Yes it is. They had an 80gb and a 160gb previously. They introduced a single, 120gb model yesterday.

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 10th 2008 2:27PM]

@zak

No, "adult, mature" posters are the ones who throw out their opinions, see what sticks, and then get on with it. It's the 14 year old net battlers (you) that are trying to change the mindset of people reading.

Which by the way, isn't going to happen.

Now hit me with some of that LOGIC AND REASONING, little man! : )

[muchu @ Sep 10th 2008 3:05PM]

@craigj
That's 6 iPods in 6 years.. milk milk milk

[cubanresourceful @ Sep 10th 2008 3:30PM]

@ OneLove

Get a COWON. I have the Zune 80, and while its actually a really good player, I would like a better codec support, so now I'm debating between the S9, O2, or just be old school and get the D2. :D

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Sep 10th 2008 4:43PM]

Just get what I have, HOMEBREWED PSP'S!

[Matthew C @ Sep 10th 2008 5:29PM]

Why is there no "i'lll keep my old ipod / zune /other mp3, thank-you very much" option?

i like my 5.5 gen 80 - the only new feature that i would even look at is genius, but i can always just make playlist and put them on my ipod, so its cool.

[CraigJ @ Sep 10th 2008 6:39PM]

I replaced my 40GB in late 2007 with a Classic. That's over 4 years.
I replaced my v1 shuffle with a v2 shuffle (better for running) in mid 2007, that's over 2 years, and becides it was only $80.
I replaced our v1 Nano with a v3 Nano in late 2007, that's over 2 years (mostly used by my wife)

You you say milk, milk, milk if I told you I buy a new Dell workstation every 12 to 18 months?

[Zak @ Sep 10th 2008 7:17PM]

Serial: You actually think I'm trying to change the mindset of people reading this? Really? Read my first post again and tell me how I'm trying to change anybody's mindset. No, go ahead, do it. Let's see you back this one up, if you can. Also calling me a little man... wow. That must make you feel big. :D

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 10th 2008 7:28PM]

You've run circles around me logically, little guy. I give up to your superior brain.

[KarlW @ Sep 10th 2008 12:06PM]

Why do all your polls have a "none" option? Why don't those people just not vote?

[Ignatius @ Sep 10th 2008 12:08PM]

Some people actually aren't sheep to 'fashion trend' PMPs...

[Blaine Oliver @ Sep 10th 2008 12:10PM]

Im buying neither, we pay over £50 more for an iPod Touch than the americans, and thats not tax, thats theft. $229 does not equal £169 ($340) I am now boycotting Apple like many people, UK has gone against apple now, many people i know buying zen's now for superior price compared to storage. I want an iPod Touch, but I will not pay $100 more.

[KarlW @ Sep 10th 2008 12:10PM]

They're sheep to voting about them though, or there wouldn't be an option.

[Kyle @ Sep 10th 2008 12:11PM]

Because I'd like to see the results of the poll...

[OneLove @ Sep 10th 2008 12:11PM]

Because people who vote "none" are also important and still need to be accounted for. (kids, stay in school)

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Sep 10th 2008 12:59PM]

Actually, the "none" option was not "none," but "a less popular player". There should have been a REAL 'none' option for those of us who have no plans to buy one at all/upgrade what we have/etc. It would give context to the other numbers if you could view them in light of how many people plan to buy nothing.

I selected the nano option because it most appeals to me, but I'll be buying none at all. I've already got a 2nd gen nano for the gym, and for casual use the new nano offers nothing compelling to require an 'upgrade'. The ancient 4th gen classic in my car is still doing the trick, though I wouldn't mind having something with more capacity some day. But it's way down on my list of things to spend money on when the existing one works just fine.

[Bad Beaver @ Sep 10th 2008 12:59PM]

@ Blaine Oliver:
The $ vs. £ / € ratio just does not add up even if you add the tax, just as you say. I don't quite see why Europans should pay more for something that goes from China to Europe instead of China to USA. Nevertheless, that's the same sad song people whine whenever Apple updates anything. Just get one from the US.

[Mitch @ Sep 10th 2008 1:17PM]

They need to add that option to the 2008 Presidential Election.

[John @ Sep 10th 2008 1:50PM]

I don't even use that, I just select nothing and hit vote.

[josejuan05 @ Sep 10th 2008 2:10PM]

Just notice that THE POLL (not the article) is entitled "What player are you most INTERESTED in" (emphasis mine). To be truly honest I'm tempted to sell my 32GB Zen X-Fi on Ebay and buy a refurbed iPod Touch 1G. Then, of course, I realize that I don't need it, and the Zen fits in my pocket better. But for only $40 more, a refurbed iTouch 32GB Gen1 is the real steal out there now.

[jon @ Sep 10th 2008 2:13PM]

I agree with UnixSystemEngineer. There needs to be an option for "none; none of the new players are cool enough to justify upgrading my old player." The two things that might have done it for me were a huge iPod classic (200+ GB) or a really big price cut on nanos.

[Tinu @ Sep 10th 2008 12:06PM]

Cake.

[EricR @ Sep 10th 2008 12:11PM]

It's a lie.

[DBrim @ Sep 10th 2008 12:53PM]

Personally, I can't wait for cake based PMPs that we can eat while we're listening. Come on, Bill, make it happen!

[Brad @ Sep 10th 2008 12:59PM]

We all saw him adjust his shorts.

[gonintendo @ Sep 10th 2008 6:31PM]

no, no NOOOOO!!! ITS NOT A LIE ITS REAL! It's so delicious and moist!

[fred @ Sep 10th 2008 12:07PM]

Epic Flamebait Thread!

[Matt @ Sep 10th 2008 12:07PM]

Buy a Zune. Buy something other than an iPod. Don't get me wrong, I love the iPod interface but the product is junk. Who do you know who still has an old iPod? Not many people, if anyone, and for two good reasons. First, they usually break after a year, maybe less. Second, they are "old" every 6 months because there is a new model on the shelves. Why pay good money for an mp3 player that you either send back every 6 months, or replace every 6 months?

[ericdano @ Sep 10th 2008 12:11PM]

Wrong Matt. I have a 3rd Generation iPod, from 2003 (I think?), that still works, and my 5G iPod Video has been working great for like 2+ years.

Stop the FUD.

[Ondskan @ Sep 10th 2008 12:11PM]

The new nano interface is great, but the iPod Classic with the split-screen is garbage.

[nick @ Sep 10th 2008 12:15PM]

I have had my iPod touch for 3 years now and it still works. Granted I've dropped it maybe twice and the battery life is probably 3-4 hours now, but it still works for me.
New iPods, especially the Touch, look more fun but with lots of gadgets come more problems/more fragile objects. I like the microphone feature on the headphones too.