Zune a Better Fit for Some

[Aaron Roma]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=238' target='_blank'>http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=238</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>&quot;I have been checking out the Zune and the iPod with video in direct comparison and have to say I prefer the Zune for my usage. Keep in mind a few things that help make the Zune more attractive for me that may not be applicable to others.&quot;</em></p><p><img alt="" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/zt/2006/miller-3weeks-later-120706.jpg" /></p><p>ZDNet's Matthew Miller has been using a Zune for the past three weeks. What has he learned in those three weeks? Zune may not have lived up to all the pre-release hype, but you know what, it's not a bad device at all. And for some people, including Miller, the Zune is a better fit than the iPod. Some of Miller's reasoning’s for giving the nod to Zune include the larger screen for more enjoyable video viewing and the subscription service to supplement his meager music collection. Check out his article for more thoughts on his Zune experience. Personally, owning both a video iPod and Zune, the Zune is a better device for me and my uses. I still have need of a smaller, flash based device, so my Nano will still compliment my Zune for now. The only feature currently missing for me is built-in podcast support. How about you? Does the Zune meet your portable media player needs, or are some improvements needed before you take the plunge?</p>

[gasusan2006]

I have had my Zune almost two weeks and I am happy with it. I use it every day. I researched all the media players because my teens desperately wanted i-pods for Christmas (mainly because their friends all seem to have one). Trying to find what I considered unbiased reviews on the Zune were hard to locate. Everyone seemed to have pre-determined opinions or what I considered to be unrealistically high expectations for a new device on the market. I actually emailed someone I didn't know personally, but whose opinion I respected (I've followed his posts on another message board). He responded to my email and answered my questions, and I went out and purchased a Zune for myself.

I think the Zune is fine as is.....but it also has potential to be GREAT in the future. I, for one, am always glad to see someone with what seems to be a "monopoly" of a market get some REAL competition.

I think, as more CONSUMERS get their hands on the Zune......and get a chance to see what is all about....... word will spread.....and sales will increase.

Susan

[Sage]

I agree with him - the subscription based service is very attractive. It's certainly the biggest reason to choose the Zune for me.

However, I don't think 30GB is big enough for music and video. My music collect is approaching 30GB alone and I'd prefer to keep a wide range of video on my PMP, rather than having to select one or two before I go out every day.

[Damion Chaplin]

I would love to see DivX support. What an incredibly awesome device it would be with direct DivX support. Converting 2-hour films to WMV is very time-consuming and totally unnecessary. That and drag-and-drop support out of the box. Adding just those two things would place the Zune in the top 5 HD-based PMPs on the market (IMO).

[DrHunter]

I love the Zune specs and that big screen and great UI are fabulous! I am only holding back because I like to carry all of my music with me. At over 42gb, I am sure I have a larger than average digital music collection, so I am anxiously awaiting release of a 60 or 80 gb Zune before I make the plunge.

[Macguy59]

There isn't a compelling reason for me to switch from my 5th gen iPod video.

[Aaron Roma]

There isn't a compelling reason for me to switch from my 5th gen iPod video.
I can't dissagree with you there. (I did mostly because I was curious about the Zune and wanted to try something new.) But obviously it's worth considering the Zune when it is time to upgrade that 5th Gen. The Zune should be more feature rich then, too.

[ucfgrad93]

The Zune should be more feature rich then, too.

True, but so will the iPod. It will be very interesting to see what Apple does to the next generation iPod to answer the Microsoft Zune.

[bleeman]

My first MP3 player was the RIO Cali 128. I went with it because it supported the ability to add SD cards to it so I could carry more music. It was okay for what it was but the interface was terrible. Last year I bought a 2GB Nano and quickly discovered 2GB wasn't enough when I wanted to load it with both Podcasts and my music. Now, I've been lusting for the Zune as I'd like to get back to wma as my format and get into video as well. In addition to gaining disk space back with wma vs mp3/aac, I'm excited by the fact that there were a fair amount of accessories released with the Zune as well.

One of the reasons I went with the iPod a year ago over the various PlaysForSure offerrings were the accessories. I'm not real big on headphones and my main goal was to have a way to listen to my music while working in front of my computer. Until the iPod and the various speaker accessories came along that meant a bulky boombox type scenario and a lot of ripping to CD's. The other option was to setup a full fledged audio system and plug in a bulky media player of some sort. With the Nano and my Logitech speakers I've got a small device that gives me good sound and leaves me a lot of desk space. Now I eagerly await getting enough $'s together to spring for the Zune and speakers and then my iPod will be on the auction block.

[Macguy59]

I can't dissagree with you there. (I did mostly because I was curious about the Zune and wanted to try something new.) But obviously it's worth considering the Zune when it is time to upgrade that 5th Gen. The Zune should be more feature rich then, too.

I would be more impressed with the Zune's larger screen if the resolution was higher than the iPods but as it is it's a bit on the fuzzy side on the units I've looked at.

[Macguy59]

True, but so will the iPod. It will be very interesting to see what Apple does to the next generation iPod to answer the Microsoft Zune.

Outside of a larger screen I'm not sure what the iPod needs to answer to. I don't see "squirting" as something Apple will be too concerned with. Wireless functions within the home environment is another matter and I expect that some form of it will implemented on the upcoming iPods to work in conjunction with the recently introduced iTV.