iPod vs. Zune

[KariC]

Which is "better?" I have an iPod nano, but I am looking at getting my brother a Zune or a nano. What's the consensus from all of you that are more up on these things?

 

[trappednabox]

I have a nano and love it, but I really want a ZEN, it's a lot like the zune, but a little less expensive, and I think it's better.
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=16999

 

[Toby'sFriend]

iPOD -

I have a Zune. I cuss frequently.

 

[dcentity2000]

There's a style issue. Zunes are seriously uncool.



Rich::

 

[themarquis]

I have a zune and I am deeply in love with it. I had hesitations when buying it, but it was on mega-sale. Surprisingly, it is well-designed, attractive, easy to use, intuitive, and pretty much bug-free. I would not have expected microsoft to be able to make such a nice device -- I was quite surprised. (btw, I am a technology geek, so it kind of takes a lot to please me) It has all the features of an ipod plus more, at a lower price.

I know Ipods are really popular, but there are a lot of MP3 players out there that have better features and are much better priced. Ipods are really a status symbol thing, IMO. People want to be seen using them b/c they are "cool". If you don't care about that, look for features and price. If you don't like the Zune, look for one of the other many high-quality MP3 brands on the market.

I have had some software issues with my Zune (that is, the software you put on the computer to allow the device to interface with it. The software ON the device has been just fine). Probably to be expected with Microsoft It's all fine now, but there were a couple of brief moments of annoyance.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I have had some software issues with my Zune (that is, the software you put on the computer to allow the device to interface with it. The software ON the device has been just fine). Probably to be expected with Microsoft It's all fine now, but there were a couple of brief moments of annoyance.

I have the $85 Zune from Woot.com.

Ever since the upgrade

*Constant freezing and rebooting
*Except on the days it decides to randomly turn itself off mid-song
*AND the biggest annoyances, they did away with playlists

So you can't make a list of say "Kid's Songs" and then let your kid listen to only his songs.

BTW I also have a $39 Creative Zen 4MB that I bought from Woot for my 4yo. For the price I paid, that thing is awesome.

 

[Laura]

I voted for the Zune. I have the 1st generation 30G model, and it's been great. I can link it up to my Xbox, download podcasts, listen to the radio (without spending an extra $50 for a silly widget) and so on. I have had zero software issues, either on my computer or on the Zune. The new software is much better than the first model, it runs much faster. And it's easier to sync.

Plus, unlike the iPod, the thing is scratchproof and looks pretty cool. I saw the new little ones in Best Buy; they look great too. And you can personalize the back.

Here's a very thorough review: http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/zune-redux.ars/1

I*AND the biggest annoyances, they did away with playlists

So you can't make a list of say "Kid's Songs" and then let your kid listen to only his songs.

You can make playlists. http://www.zune.net/en-us/support/usersguide/zunesoftware/manageplaylists.htm

 

[tryntje]

My son was looking at the Zune and a very tech saavy friend of ours told him go with the ZEN. All online reviews for Zune are negative. He presently has an iPod and has a lot of trouble with corrupt files when they are being converted to the Mac format.

 

[themarquis]

I have the $85 Zune from Woot.com.

Ever since the upgrade

*Constant freezing and rebooting
*Except on the days it decides to randomly turn itself off mid-song
*AND the biggest annoyances, they did away with playlists

So you can't make a list of say "Kid's Songs" and then let your kid listen to only his songs.

BTW I also have a $39 Creative Zen 4MB that I bought from Woot for my 4yo. For the price I paid, that thing is awesome.

that sucks -- definitely make sure the zune has the latest firmware update. That is the software ON the zune. When it is plugged in to your computer and you have the Zune software on your computer running, there shoudl be an option to update the firmware. I did have some weird things happen with mine at first, but with the newer firmware, I haven't had any problems. No reboots. That would really p me off.

 

[JCJRSmith]

All online reviews for Zune are negative.

Yep - you read it here first: ALL of 'em. Negative.

That being said: I have an original 30 GB Zune, after owning a Zen and an iPod. The iPod has been back for repair due to constant lock ups. The Zen was a great player easy to use, but no video on the one I had. My Zune 30 has been rock solid, and when Microsoft released the new versions, it upgraded the firmware effortlessly. Now I want a Zune 80, but SWMBO won't let me (having just spent close to $700 on a new HP MediaSmart Server).

Edited to add: Firmware 2.3 for the Zune was released today. Updated my Zune while I wrote this post.

 

[Micca]

I have my 30gig Ipod video for 2 years this Christmas. I use it a lot and am still very happy with it. Other MP3 players are probably nice too, I just wanted the features & convenience of an Ipod. I would definitely buy another Ipod, but don't really need one yet.

 

[Kathi OD]

I'm on my 2nd 30G Ipod in a little over 2 years. The first one died just after the warranty expired. I've had this one about 3 months and it keeps on freezing up and I can't figure out why. I purchased both from the Apple store. I think that part of the problem is that although they "work" with windows, Ipods really don't like windows, if that makes any sense. I just think if I were going to use it with a Windows based computer, I'd go with the Zune.

 

[cinmell]

Ipod, hands down!

 

[Barbossa]

Why only iPod or Zune? For one, iPods sound terrible. EQ are fixed presets only. Nothing like the "state of the art" having fewer tone controls than your '70's stereo.

If you really want to rock, consider players by Cowon/iAudio. Their competing product is:

http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/iaudio/u5/

Their players offer a plethora of tone shaping controls:

- User adjustable 5-band EQ
- Normal, Rock, Pop, Metal, Jazz, Classic, Vocal, User
- BBE, Mach3Bass, MP Enhance, 3D Surround, Pan, EQ Filter

I own an older model, the X5. Doesn't have the cool factor of the iPod, but it sounds incredible. Get one!

 

[dcentity2000]

Bang & Olufsen for the ULTIMATE in style! Be prepared to spend A LOT though.



Rich:

 

[Papa Deuce]

Can't speak to the Zune, but I have several iPods that I use for personal and business, and I loved them all except the iTouch.

 

[dcentity2000]

Can't speak to the Zune, but I have several iPods that I use for personal and business, and I loved them all except the iTouch.

I love my iTouch! However, the capacity is a bit rubbish.



Rich::

 

[KariC]

Why only iPod or Zune? For one, iPods sound terrible. EQ are fixed presets only. Nothing like the "state of the art" having fewer tone controls than your '70's stereo.

If you really want to rock, consider players by Cowon/iAudio. Their competing product is:

http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/iaudio/u5/

Their players offer a plethora of tone shaping controls:

- User adjustable 5-band EQ
- Normal, Rock, Pop, Metal, Jazz, Classic, Vocal, User
- BBE, Mach3Bass, MP Enhance, 3D Surround, Pan, EQ Filter

I own an older model, the X5. Doesn't have the cool factor of the iPod, but it sounds incredible. Get one!

that looks cool, any more info/insight???

 

[Barbossa]

that looks cool, any more info/insight???

I don't have that model specifically, but have the X5 and an older flash-based model. They both sound very, very good. They also both have plenty of power to drive less efficient headphones. Personally I like the X5's song navigator. Songs are arranged exactly as they are on your PC's hard drive, so the player organizes songs the way you do on your PC. iPods are really nice when songs are from iTunes as they have the album art and all of the information loaded up. A lot of my MP3's are ripped from CD's and don't have this information, which makes grouping albums and song collections more difficult (you have to create playlists). Depends on what's important to you. Personally, I have to be able to adjust the EQ to suit the song and/or the headphones I'm using. My DW has an iPod classic, and the preset EQ settings are weak IMHO. It's a beautiful device, though, I love the album art!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Edited to add: Firmware 2.3 for the Zune was released today. Updated my Zune while I wrote this post.

thanks - I'll plug it in tonight and give it another try. I got so frustrated with the thing last week that I shoved it in my purse and haven't looked at it since.