Microsoft Zune

[yourmom]

Sorry to make another BBY/tech post, but the Zune is now out and I wanted to get everyone's opinion on it. I have had my 30gb ipod video for awhile now, and I'm wondering if im just being biased.

The Zune just didn't impress. The larger screen is nice, but at the cost of clarity i just don't like it. It has the same resolution as the ipod, but because it is bigger it just stretches out the screen and makes it a little grainy. But speaking of bigger, the thing is huge compared to the ipod. I guess thats cause the Xbox guys made it. The User Interface seems a little clunky, but once again I'm used to the simplistic ipod UI so....

There are some good things though. FM tuner is built in so you don't have to shell out $50 like the ipod. Also the wifi share thing is pretty cool, but a bit of a tease. You can share a song wirelessly with another zune, but they only get it for 3 days unless they buy it from Microsofts music store. Also I do like that the background is color and you can have themes pictures. Makes it more customizable.

Now i don't think this is an Ipod Killer of any kind. But in time and a few years MS should be able to make a pretty good product that could give apple a run for its money. Remember the first Ipod? It was massive and sucked PERIOD. It just took them some time.

If any of you get a chance to check one out let me know what you think. I don't want to be to biased when teaching customers.

[mholtz]

I have now had 3 ipods in my life spanning over the course of about 5 years. That makes (in my opinion) the Zune about 5 years too late.

The ipod has become an icon in american society, especially on college campuses. I don't think the zune will take much of the ipod's market share.

[bste_lax]

Creative Zen Vision:M >> iPod

I went through two iPods, switched over to the Zen and haven't looked back.

[mholtz]

I should say that I had a problem with my first ipod which broke within a few months (the gen 1 ones had problems) but was replaced with a new one because of the best buy service contract. I just got my third last month, so my second lasted about 4 years. I also listen to it at least 2 hours every day, so I may put more stress on them than most people.