Zune HD Pricing Leaked (and Amazon Confirmed)

[Adam Krebs]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gizmodo.com/5334801/amazon-confirms-leaked-zune-hd-pricing' target='_blank'>http://gizmodo.com/5334801/amazon-c...zune-hd-pricing</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Yesterday, a </em><a href="http://gizmodo.com/5334331/zune-hd-prices-leaked-16gb-for-220-32gb-for-290" target="_blank"><em>Best-Buy-based-tipster revealed</em></a><em> that Zune HD pricing would be $220 (16GB) and $290 (32GB). Now, Amazon's pre-order page is confirming the price. For&nbsp;Best Buy and Amazon to get pricing wrong seems highly unlikely."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//zt/auto/1250005474.usr495.png" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" width="500" /></p><p>Well, now we know. $210 for 16 GB and $290 for 32 seem like a great deal when compared to this generation's iPod Touch line, but keep in mind that the Touch is likely to get upgraded around the time the HD launches. One big concern I've been hearing is the lack of a 64 GB option at launch, though there are rumblings about a mid-year (read: April/May/June) refresh that will bump up capacities. Let us know: is this a deal-breaker for you?</p><p>Also confirmed is the September 8 launch date, but we don't know anything about options for Zune Originals or other <a href="http://www.zunerama.com/zune-versions.php" target="_blank">promotional editions</a>. I'm debating whether to pick mine up on day 1 (as I did with my 80), or wait until the Originals series comes out (as I wish I did with my 80).&nbsp;</p>

[Jason Dunn]

< sigh > It would have been nice if Microsoft were able to keep at least ONE thing secret about the Zune HD...especially the price because I bet they would have undercut the iPod. But now Apple can price lower against the Zune HD. Oh well - consumers win in the end with cheaper devices. :)

[flamingotrip]

That is pretty darn cheap. I'm guessing that the 16gb only comes in black while the 32 gb comes in the platinum as it says.

[Jason Dunn]

That is pretty darn cheap. I'm guessing that the 16gb only comes in black while the 32 gb comes in the platinum as it says.

Ugg...I sure hope not! The black looks much nicer in my opinion, so it will suck if the only option is platinum for 32GB. :(

[flamingotrip]

Ugg...I sure hope not! The black looks much nicer in my opinion, so it will suck if the only option is platinum for 32GB. :(

Yeah I personally like the all black way more than the platinum but if the 32gb only comes in that, I guess im taking the platinum.

[Alber1690]

< sigh > It would have been nice if Microsoft were able to keep at least ONE thing secret about the Zune HD...especially the price because I bet they would have undercut the iPod. But now Apple can price lower against the Zune HD. Oh well - consumers win in the end with cheaper devices. :)

Thought the same thing when I saw the amazingly low prices; now Apple has plenty of time to design even a whole marketing campaign around its most-likely-soon-to-be lower price points. :(

[bleeman]

I'll be waiting for more storage as my Z80 generally only has 1-3GB free on it between all my music, TV recordings from media center, and podcasts. I'd been contemplating getting the Z120 and may still go that route.

I think the new ZHD looks great but I'm not sure about the all touch interface. One of the things that originally pulled me to the Zune were the additional buttons and not the rotating wheel of the iPods. When I'm driving I like the fact that I can reach over and push on the pause button without looking at the Zune, whereas with a touch interface I'd have to pick it up and look at it, not exactly the smartest thing to be doing while rolling down the road. It's one of the reasons I haven't taken the plunge and gone with an iPhone like so many of my friends and colleagues have. I want to have a known place I can reach and perform a specific function without having to look around for it.