Zune blue 8GB and 120GB unboxing

We just got ourselves blue 8GB and black 120GB Zunes, and naturally threw 'em on the table for an unboxing. With just capacity and color changes, there's not a lot to gawk at, but we've always had a soft spot for Microsoft's Zune packaging and "Welcome to the Social" greetings. In case you were wondering, they're still total smudge magnets, and they're still rocking 2.5 software -- 3.0 hits tomorrow.

Gallery: Zune blue 8GB and 120GB unboxing

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[kccboy2004 @ Sep 15th 2008 1:14PM]

can i get one in bubble gum colour please

[zonamanoz @ Sep 15th 2008 1:16PM]

Fresh or chewed?

[telepheedian @ Sep 15th 2008 3:58PM]

I was going to post a link to the pink flash zune, but the comment system keeps eating it.

[OneLove @ Sep 15th 2008 4:43PM]

I want a video of it being put back int the box.

[KAIKAI @ Sep 15th 2008 9:21PM]

onelove i want a video of you getting into a refrigerator box
and never coming back out :P

[y2kss66 @ Sep 15th 2008 1:15PM]

I already have and 80 gb in red so i will stick with it. can't wait for 3.0!

[waiownsyou @ Sep 15th 2008 1:27PM]

No one's asking you to upgrade.

...errr... except Microsoft.

[L.M.L.Y.P @ Sep 15th 2008 9:32PM]

is that why microsoft is forcing us zune owners to buy a new zune to take advantage of the new firmware... right

[who? @ Sep 15th 2008 1:15PM]

Mmmm... That Zune looks like an M&M.

An M&M gone wonderfully wrong. I'm hungry.

[Homeboy @ Sep 15th 2008 1:22PM]

"they're still total smudge magnets"

How come you didn't say the same about iPod Touch 2G??

[fanthem @ Sep 15th 2008 4:34PM]

Yeah, I'd rather take a smudge magnet than a crack and scratch magnet.

[Hafk @ Sep 15th 2008 5:28PM]

Well, these are total smudge magnets. My Zune 80, with it's Matte finish, has no smudges whatsoever.

Seriously Microsoft, step in the wrong direction. Matte > Glossy. Although, I still do dig the 120.

[Buzzz @ Sep 15th 2008 1:22PM]

your comment on the packaging got me to check it out for the first time. they really do have some sweet graphic design going on there. they even (gasp!) use color. if i wasn't a dedicated i-have-to-have-a-phone-that-does-everything person i'd be rocking a zune for a pmp.

[bob @ Sep 15th 2008 1:26PM]

Does anyone else think that those ear phone covers are from the 90's?

They look like they will get stuck in your ear when you take the ear buds out.

I don't own a Zune so i don't know if they ever came with before.

[Flashpoint @ Sep 15th 2008 1:25PM]

I hope Microsoft does well with Zune. Only dowside is, these things are only comparable with the iPod Nano. Microsoft needs to create a Zune as robust as the iPod Touch and if they do, they'll be labeled copycats.

[JerryA @ Sep 15th 2008 1:59PM]

I'd say the larger ones (the ones that interest me) are comparable to the ipod classic. I've never really wanted a small mp3 player like a nano and I've never really wanted a touch screen mp3 player like the touch. I had a Zune 30 but it was stolen. I got it because I had a gift card to Sears and what the hell was I gonna buy at Sears?! Anyway I loved that thing. My phone does a fine job of holding smaller amounts of mp3's with 4gb MicroSD cards and that's all I need for casual use but I like the idea of having an mp3 player/PMP that can hold all of my music for travel. I may have to pick up one of the newly reduced Zune 80's and hope this one doesn't get stolen too.

[Nathan @ Sep 15th 2008 1:59PM]

do not want!
i just want a hdd mp3 player. compete with the ipod classic, ignore the touch.

[chefgon_ign @ Sep 15th 2008 3:49PM]

The Zune is a portable media player. The touch, despite its iPod branding, is not. Sure, it syncs with iTunes and plays music and video, but it is very clearly designed as a mobile computer first and media player second.

[waiownsyou @ Sep 15th 2008 1:27PM]

wel-
come
to the
social

[John @ Sep 15th 2008 1:29PM]

@Jubei

We know your trolling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0UjU0rtavE

[Zeus.:God @ Sep 15th 2008 1:42PM]

Agreed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0UjU0rtavE

[eltoro2827 @ Sep 15th 2008 1:30PM]

Just picked up my 120 from walmart...salesguy said they had about 20 since last fri...i got the second to last one.
cant wait ,,one more day.

[▀█▀ █ ▀█▀ ▄█▀ @ Sep 15th 2008 1:29PM]

I really like the zunes and much prefer them to the ipods, but the buttons on these look like somewhat cheap plastic. I'll stick with my Halo zune for now, thx.

[Patrick @ Sep 15th 2008 2:08PM]

i didn't even bother reading your comment... but your name?

awesome.

[Christian Walters @ Sep 15th 2008 2:33PM]

I agree, I dont really like the Zune Pad all that much, I have a 30 GB Halo 3 Zune aswell, and its gonna be rockin 3.0 tomorow baby!

[james @ Sep 15th 2008 1:35PM]

Bummer about the screen size on the 8gb. Or at least bummer about the black border around the screen. That kind of "bezel" has always bothered me. It's like they designed it for a larger LCD but opted for a smaller one for cost reasons without changing the design.

[The Oh My Goodness @ Sep 15th 2008 2:38PM]

I too picked up a 120GB early at Walmart, and they inexplicably tried to sell me an iPod Classic instead. "Are you sure you don't want this??? Ooooh! Ahh!”

I had to give them a five minute lecture on the virtues on Zune.

One side note regarding the headphones... a bit disappointed that Microsoft abandoned the premium headphones with the 120GB, but I understand the logic. Because they were included, I think people made the assumption that they were less than great. They were, however, very solid and comprable to ear buds in the $75-$100 range.

[smartass505 @ Sep 15th 2008 1:37PM]

Am i seeing things or did they cheapen the included headphones? I love the ones that came with my 80.

[cesium @ Sep 15th 2008 1:46PM]

Yeah looks like they got rid of the premium headphones :(

[Zeus.:God @ Sep 15th 2008 1:47PM]

They look like refreshed versions of what came with the Zune 30- if so, they'll likely be of similar quality (not that I would doubt them anyway, considering I've used both sets of included 'phones in the past), which is good, because the old ones sounded great.

Though I do agree, they likely won't be as great as the ones included with the 80.

[KevENation @ Sep 15th 2008 1:38PM]

... sg27hjzxfgjufk,cfxzkj ... Oops, sorry. My head fell on the keyboard when I nodded off there for a second. This gallery of photos is awesome! Thanks for unboxing this... uh... BLUE Zune. It's even more exciting than the brown one. Go Microsoft! I just KNOW you will kill the iPod with this one!!

[cesium @ Sep 15th 2008 1:43PM]

Did you crack your skull? No? Damn

[sinai @ Sep 15th 2008 1:48PM]

it's ok. i still have vision problems from having to look at the last gen of nanos.

[Zeus.:God @ Sep 15th 2008 1:44PM]

They look like refreshed versions of what came with the Zune 30- if so, they'll likely be of similar quality (not that I would doubt them anyway, considering I've used both sets of included 'phones in the past), which is good, because the old ones sounded great.

Though I do agree, they likely won't be as great as the ones included with the 80.

[Zeus.:God @ Sep 15th 2008 1:46PM]

Wow. I have to click twice to get the reply button to work? This commenting system is really poorly designed...

[Ron @ Sep 15th 2008 1:45PM]

This Zune looks good, If I was in the market for a good PMP, I'd consider a zune.

[Jubei @ Sep 15th 2008 1:49PM]

It's even uglier close up. This is the very reason why the iPod Nanos are blowing this "me too" product so easily. Just looking at the build of this device shows you the sub par quality of the hardware itself. The low quality paint job clearly shows on this bottom barrel product. The nano-chromatic colors of the new iPod Nanos are simply stunning and gorgeous to look at.

[goober_nut @ Sep 15th 2008 2:00PM]

Get the hell of of engadget you stupid ass troll.

[bjsguess @ Sep 15th 2008 2:02PM]

idiot

[SanHolo @ Sep 15th 2008 3:27PM]

It's just amazing how Apple fanboys get modded down and MS-Fanboys get modded up here on engadget. Everywhere else it's the opposite way, or at least both getting modded down.

Are the Zunes actually available over here in Europe? Never stumbled across one.

[Jonathan Minnick @ Sep 15th 2008 4:08PM]

Oh yeah, then how about the "classic-chromatic" colors? Never heard of them? Me neither! That's because the Zune is a direct competitor to the iPod classic. Why would the flash versions even try to downgrade and get rid of FM radio, wireless, etc so that they could be in direct competition w/ the nano?

Case in point...Microsoft's flagship product (Zune 120) is the obvious alternative to the iPod classic. The classic now only has a 120GB model (same as Zune) and with the Christmas season coming up I can easily see Zune taking 10% of the PMP market from Apple.

[Andrew @ Sep 16th 2008 12:57PM]

Low quality paint job?

I've never seen an iPod shine like that. So...

[Zeus.:God @ Sep 15th 2008 4:33PM]

TROLL BE GONE!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0UjU0rtavE

[DeoWulf @ Sep 15th 2008 5:41PM]

Hahah, I know it's irrelevant commenting on the troll, but maybe I'll put this up for some lols for you guys.

I'd say the real "me too" product is the iPod. Why? Well, walk up to any troll like the above and declare "I have an iPod". What's the first thing they'll say? "Me too!"

Maybe I'm too counter-culture for my own good, but I see this as a good thing.

[Ipod H8tr @ Sep 15th 2008 8:46PM]

@Jubei

If iPod nanos are blowing Zunes, wouldn't that make the iPod nanos the lesser of the two?

PS the new "nano-chromatic colors of the new iPod Nanos" look like shit to me.

[icepop4who @ Sep 15th 2008 9:00PM]

ever wonder why people hate you? try and act human

[CJ @ Sep 16th 2008 6:27AM]

You forgot to call their style 'Mickey Mouse'.

[gonintendo @ Sep 18th 2008 10:00PM]

@goober_nut, what's an ass troll?

[The_Deviant @ Sep 18th 2008 10:16PM]

@cj
Jubei is an ass troll

[The_Deviant @ Sep 18th 2008 10:21PM]

Whooops
that's embarassing.....
but all the non mac fanboys will understand and that's what counts