Zune 80GB price cuts, Zune 120GB and 16GB hitting shelves early

As the story goes, Mr. Blurry Cam walks into a Harborcreek, PA Wal-mart and spots this, the Zune 80GB on rollback ($50 off list) and new $250 Zune 120GB. The blue Zune 16GB (not pictured) was said to be in stock as well. So while the 3.0 firmware won't be official until the 16th, some of you might be lucky enough to stumble upon the new Microsoft gear just a bit early.

[Thanks, Craig P.]

[rattyuk @ Sep 14th 2008 11:34AM]

hmmm.

Brand new machines. Instant discount? Once again, or at least for the second year running M$ appear to have been wrongfooted by Apple.

Fail.

[Ruben @ Sep 14th 2008 11:36AM]

You Moron.

The 80's are discontinued. That's why the price is lower.

What in the hell do you think is going to happen to the Classic 80's?

[Jose @ Sep 14th 2008 11:42AM]

I think you misunderstood the story... the 'older' 80GB Zunes are being discounted. To clear the channel since they are no longer being made. Situation Normal.

[rattyuk @ Sep 14th 2008 1:20PM]

Same as last year then - the only way they can shift product is to cut the price.

[Sora @ Sep 14th 2008 11:45AM]

Because APPLE never does price cuts, amirite?

[a ham sandwich @ Sep 14th 2008 11:51AM]

dont you have something better to do? like hooked on phonics maybe?

[Ruben @ Sep 14th 2008 12:06PM]

"Same as last year then - the only way they can shift product is to cut the price."

Seriously dude, you need to get a baseball bat to the head a few times so those brain cells can start firing again. What part of discontinued don't you understand?

Last year, the 30 dropped to its obvious price point of 199 (since the 80 took the 249 point), while many companies were selling refurbished units for 99-149. I can get a nano refurb for 79-99 bucks. Is that just apples way of clearing out stock since no one is buying it?

No. Its a conscious decision by a retailer to clear out stock of older inventory so they can exclusively sell the higher end model. No one wants a product that competes with a new product. They want the old ones gone so customers have no choice but to buy the newer model, especially in the case of Apple since each generation introduces very little over the previous (and which is the case with the Zune 80 and 120).

But i guess this response was probably too much for you, since your probably drooling at the mouth due to a brain shutdown.

[Jon Doe. @ Sep 14th 2008 12:13PM]

Proof that Apple user's are mentally deficient or have a heavy case of ADD. When they can't even read an article. Wow.

[jhoeforth @ Sep 14th 2008 12:41PM]

Ok now that stupid fanboi comment is over, everybody, let's have a decent and real conversation about the article.

The new Zune line-up really stands out. I just hope that the succedding announcements will include Zune's availability on other countries especially here on Asia. I have a Zune 80 but I'd grab Zune 120 in a heartbeat.

[Geogray @ Sep 14th 2008 1:37PM]

Hmm..Yeah, the new machines are out and the model that is being replaced is reduced in price to get them out of the pipeline. Nothing unusual. No different than Toyota or Nissan reducing prices on the '08's because the 09's are out. Seems pretty easy to understand.

[puhsitch @ Sep 14th 2008 3:38PM]

Come on, Jon Doe, you know that there are plenty of dumbasses on the Windows side of the world too.

[Garst @ Sep 14th 2008 9:03PM]

I think you're all morons. I recall hearing Microsoft saying that it was going to sell the 80GB Zune along side the 120GB one. While that could mean that it will be until supplies hold; however with that wording, it sounds like the 80GB will sell until the hardware design, or an even larger HDD verision, is introduced.

[casiotone1331 @ Sep 15th 2008 12:14AM]

Oh please, like this never happened to the iPhone. And all the other iPods that seem to come out once every week.

Seriously, the damn post talks about the Zune. DO you honestly HAVE to come in here and pitch Apple to this obviously pro-Microsoft crowd? You either have nothing better to do, or the only thing that your computer is good for is surfing the net, and the only thing you can do is troll around engadget, looking for a conflict.

Pathetic.

[brandoshido @ Sep 14th 2008 11:36AM]

thats an awesome price for the 80GB

[Richard @ Sep 14th 2008 11:45AM]

I picked up a 120gb Zune from Target yesterday (This is in Wisconsin). They also had the blue flash zune as well as the new iPod Nanos and touch. Quite a suprise.

[Christian Walters @ Sep 14th 2008 12:36PM]

Any chance it has the 3.0 system software on it mate?

[DeoWulf @ Sep 14th 2008 1:49PM]

Nope, the new Zunes are still preloaded with 2.5 firmware. If one were to actually buy them on the 16th, they'd still need to do a firmware update to get 3.0

[Christian Walters @ Sep 14th 2008 2:35PM]

@deowulf, yah, I figured as much, well just 2 more days and my Zune 30 can get it anyways!

[DeoWulf @ Sep 14th 2008 3:00PM]

Same here! :D

[bob e @ Sep 14th 2008 11:49AM]

I'm holding out for a Blue 120GB, then I sell my 80 on eBay.

[CJ @ Sep 15th 2008 8:31AM]

Hell, send it my way!

I have the jolly rotten luck of inhabiting a small, hithero-unknown island where Zunes are simply a pipedream, the result of smoking too many crushed up iPod nanos.

Guess where I am, here's a hint; Our greatest national hero (sigh), raped animals for a living, and was the worst stereotype you could ever imagine.

[Ben @ Sep 14th 2008 11:59AM]

That Wal-mart is like 2 minutes away from me, i'll have to go check it out.

[Homerbryan @ Sep 14th 2008 12:05PM]

went to best buy today, since they said they were in stock...as per usual nobody knew anything...went to Target... Had one 120 GB sitting there....snatched it up. Syncing everything over now...did I reeeaally need it...no....did I really want to get an additional 40GB...no, but I bought it anyway...I actually like the look of the 80GB better, black on silver, but whatever....

[Ant @ Sep 14th 2008 12:09PM]

Here in the UK we (as far as i'm awear) have never had the chance to buy the Zune. I have iPod video and touch but would like the chance to give the Zune a look, shame they didn't push it globally, why is that? Looks like it's got a nice big screen from the photos.

[grull27 @ Sep 14th 2008 12:10PM]

$198 for 80 GB?! That's insane.

Also, the 120 GB is a great deal too. The same price and GB as iPod Classic but a bigger screen and FM Radio.

Apple might have some competition this year.

[tpadekar @ Sep 14th 2008 3:20PM]

Don't forget:

Syncing over Wifi, sharing over wifi and when the 3.0 firmware comes out, you'll be able to use the App Store concept similar to the iPod Touch. And of course, if FM Tagging works, that'll be cool!

I hope MS have started using the UTF-8 character set on the Zune firmware now.

Did you guys know that the Zune Software has a feature which allows it to download a song's ID3 tags automatically based on just a little information? I've found that it was able to fill in tags for songs from a lot of different countries! Songs and Albums that you wouldn't find in the US Market! So maybe they *are* working towards getting an International version working.

But until the Zune supports the UTF-8 character set, no can do!

[Joshua.JWilliams @ Sep 14th 2008 12:10PM]

Hmm, looks promising I still really like the Zune it's not that bad of a device. The software isn't the best, but it came a long way from it's first version...

Might need to check the local walmart and best buy for giggles and see what's offered. I'm still trying to debate against a 8gb touch/16gb nano/zune or the bigger one. Hmmmm

[telepheedian @ Sep 14th 2008 8:23PM]

I'd pick the Zune, if only for the subscription. Economically, it would take 10 years to make up for only 2000 songs, which is a pretty decent size, but nowhere near the device limits. Plus, there's the ability to stream anything from the marketplace anywhere Wi-fi is available with the update coming out.

[Jon Doe. @ Sep 14th 2008 12:15PM]

Again, it comes down to ratings for me. The thing could be $99.99 and I still wouldn't buy it with only two options for a rating system. Fuck you MS for rolling back a feature that is everywhere in the world. Even on this board. You have lowest rank, low, Neutral, highly ranked, and highest ranked.

[coffee @ Sep 14th 2008 12:47PM]

Ratings are neat and all - I can see your "low ranked" post is getting dimmer and dimmer. Of course, I'd never put your posts on my Zune anyway, that's how I keep sucky content from getting on it. Or there's this 'delete' thing I can do, and, as always, the skip to next track.

[Bryant @ Sep 14th 2008 12:55PM]

Actually, their rating system is akin to a three star rating system.

Broken heart = don't like (akin to two stars in Vista)
No heart (default) = alright (three stars)
Heart = good (four stars)

I prefer it over Apple's system and the star system in Vista; I don't sorta-like and sorta-dislike songs. If a song has a turnoff in it anywhere, I dislike the whole song.

[Jay Evans @ Sep 14th 2008 1:00PM]

I still wouldn't buy it with only two options for a rating system.

Three ratings, +, - , neutral. Four if you consider "so bad I wouldn't put in on my Zune" as an option


At least learn before you bitch.

[brandoshido @ Sep 14th 2008 1:09PM]

again with this ratings bit? JUst dont put crappy music in your collection. whats the point of ratings anyways? My understanding is that if you dont like the music, it shouldnt be on your player.

[jhoeforth @ Sep 14th 2008 2:02PM]

Wow. Those are pretty strong words for an omitted feature of an MP3 player that you weren't even planning to buy. Tell me, are you really concern about the missing feature or you just hate MS (and an Apple fanboi) ?

[Mitochondria @ Sep 14th 2008 12:16PM]

thats the funny thing about software, it's never permanent it can always get better.

[John Datserakis @ Sep 14th 2008 1:53PM]

except for copy and paste on the iPhone

[CJ @ Sep 15th 2008 8:39AM]

Try telling that to my 5.5g iPod.

I'm still waiting for the bugs to get ironed out of that, two years on.

[Flalex @ Sep 14th 2008 12:21PM]

My Wal-Mart in North Bay Ontario has both the new Zunes in stock, but the 80 still costs $250. I guess you have to pay to have a fingerprint free device.

[justthebeginning @ Sep 14th 2008 12:36PM]

Can't wait for the zune touch to come out and the car radio adapter like the ipods in 1q of 2009. I still have the brown and 8gb zune.

[lattosimbaste @ Sep 14th 2008 6:08PM]

Car adapter like the Soundgate products? Just started looking into wiring up the truck, sick of cables hanging out everywhere, the Soundgate thing looks like it'll do the job nicely.

[Blooper62 @ Sep 14th 2008 12:27PM]

I haven't had any problems with the software and It doesn't do anything to your music. Once you get everything set up its smooth sailing.

[Joshua Walters @ Sep 14th 2008 12:29PM]

That means its only a matter of time before I can get a new one on eBay for under $150!

Its about time, Ive had my Zune30 filled for three months now.

[Guzzie @ Sep 14th 2008 12:38PM]

It doesn't mess with your music. Zune better than iTunes 8 for a two reasons.
1. Less Resource Hungry (Thanks Quicktime!)
2. Is capable of monitoring folders and automatically adding music to the library.
Other than that, they suck pretty much equally. I love my new iPod Touch, but iTunes is getting rediculously bloated.

[Jander @ Sep 14th 2008 12:48PM]

Why not try it? Download the latest version on the 16th and see if you like it. And no it doesn't DRM your songs. That's silly. You might be thinking about when you share songs via wifi Zune to Zune, with the 3 days restriction on it.

[joaquin @ Sep 14th 2008 12:59PM]

I think this may be the year that Zune grabs more market share from the iPod line.

[Dylan M. @ Sep 14th 2008 1:07PM]

What I don't get is that there is NO mention of any of this on the official Zune site nor was there any mention of it in the September Zune newsletter. Someone explain.

[Harvey @ Sep 14th 2008 1:10PM]

"The blue Zune 16GB (not pictured) was said to be in stock as well."

This is a typo I think - there is no 16GB Blue. The blue Zune is available in 8GB capacity only.

[Galley @ Sep 14th 2008 1:12PM]

The 160GB iPod classics are going for $229 at BJ's Wholesale Club!

[Nahir @ Sep 14th 2008 1:47PM]

Anyone know if the Zune software is ever going to come to OS X or if there is another way of getting music onto the Zune without booting into Windows? Come on Microsoft some Mac users are not completely obsessed with the iPod!

[CJ @ Sep 15th 2008 8:42AM]

The real question is, do you honestly think that Apple is going to let Microsoft develop a Zune architecture for OSX? As soon as they develop something for it, Apple is gonna lock it up good and tight. Heaven forbid any healthy competition try to enroach upon THEIR users.