Zune: Pleasure or Displeasure to the Senses?

[Darius Wey]

<img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/zt/2006/wey-20060722-zune.gif" alt="" /><br /><br />You've probably already checked out <a target="_blank" href="http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/showthread.php?t=38">the Zune in all its FCC glory</a>. Now it's time for you to voice your thoughts. Perhaps you're worried about the size. You may like or dislike the button arrangement. Not a fan of the colours? Whatever the case, let us know what you think about the aesthetics of the Zune.

[Aaron Roma]

I don't really have much against it, per say, but it's just completely uninspiring. We'll have to see about usability, but based soley on aesthetics, it's still seems a step behind iPod.

[ucfgrad93]

Doesn't look that good to me. Hopefully, the FCC pictures are of a preproduction model. Different colors might help, but aesthetically it's way behind the iPod.

[Caliente]

its not revolutionary by any means. nevertheless, if some interesting colour options are investigated, or even vinyl stick-ons are released we could have a trendy looking machine.

[Jason Dunn]

It's so tough to say - photos from FCC documents are always SO incredibly bad, they could make even the best-looking device look ugly. I'm concerned about the thickness myself - the photos make it look big. I really want to hold it in my hands though, because with my Zen Vision:M for instance, even though on paper it's significantly thicker than an iPod, when holding it I have no complaints about the thickness.

[SuperFreak]

I love the specs, but not too excited about the design... :mad:

Hopefully, the final design will be pleasing enough - But heck, who am I kidding, I'm going to end up gettin it anyway... :p

[mcsouth]

I would agree with others that the external design is not particularly inspiring - it even seems somewhat bland. For that matter, the iPod design never really struck me as being that inspiring either, but it does at least seem better proportioned or something - maybe due to the size of the click wheel on the front of the unit, or the chrome back. Personally, I's like to see it in a rich blue or perhaps a forest green.....with complementary led lighting glow around the controls in a soft blue perhaps....

key is still going to come back to what this player can handle - what file formats, what is the interface like, etc.

[saru7755]

Specs are great, & Design is fine i have no problem there.. but my only concern is the size.. but i guess it would be smallar in real life than it looks in those pics..

[randalllewis]

I have to believe the FCC pix don't do the Zune justice because it does have a rather dated appearance. It's just so last year. The screen quality could make me forget about the lack of style. That remains to be seen. The ultimate color of the product can also help add some pop to the design. Size is also hard to judge from here, but I have become convinced that bigger isn't all bad. I just acquired a Zen V and while it sounds great (the most important quality) and certainly is more stylish than the Zune appears to be, it is almost too small.

[subzerohf]

... I just acquired a Zen V and while it sounds great (the most important quality) and certainly is more stylish than the Zune appears to be, it is almost too small.

I also think the Zen V is more stylish than the Zune. I was hoping the Zune will beat the smaller devices with more features, such as a better equalizer. But it looks like Microsoft is focusing too much on wi-fi features, which are not very important to me :(

[Macguy59]

without seeing it in person. I thought early pics of the Q were butt ugly but then I saw one in a Verizon store . . . and now I own one. Similar to the Vision:M. Thing looked like a brick in pictures but felt less so in my hand (though much thicker than my Video iPod)