Zune vs iPod - Which media player is right for you?

[zunester]

Apple’s ipod has been long dominating the digital media player market. And why not; ipod has been far superior in performance and features when compared to its rivals. But Microsoft is set to change this by coming out with their own media player named zune, which will debut to the world on November 14, 2006. The product will be available for exactly the same price $249 as the 30GB ipod.

Here I’ll list a few key differences between zune and ipod. Below are the list of features supported by zune and not Ipod.

1. Preloaded Audio and video
2. Built in FM tuner
3. Zune to Zune sharing by Wi-Fi wireless (social networking)
4. Custom background
5. Landscape video

With all the exciting and promising features, Microsoft will definitely take a big chunk of media player market form apple, but how much only time will tell.

But the real question is which device is right for YOU? Let’s look at the specs of the system, the features and services we know about. We’re going to be comparing the 30GBÂÂ*ÂÂ*iPod to the 30GB Zune, since they are closest in price, storage, and battery life.

OS Support - Winner: iPod
Zune only supports Windows. iPod, on the other hand, supports both Windows and Mac.

WiFi Connectivity - Winner: Zune
The current iPod features no Wi-fi connectivity whatsoever, Zune, however, is 802.11g Wifi enabled, and features a slew of sharing and broadcasting features.

Content - Winner: N/A
Right now the iPod, through iTunes, has thousands of songs, hundreds of TV shows, dozens of movies, and a handful of games to download for the device. As of this writing we still don’t know what all the Zune Marketplace will hold for Zune owners. But as we know, iPod has some preloaded music and videos.

Storage - Winner: iPod
iPod has 30GB, 60GB, 80GB, while at present Zune has only 30GB product.

Screen - Winner: Zune
iPod features a 2.5 inch diagonal screen, while the Zune has a slightly larger 3.0 inch diagonal screen.

FM Radio Capability - Winner: Zune
Zune comes with a built-in FM tuner. If you want to listen to radio on your iPod, you have to buy an accessory.

Music purchasing - Winner: Zune
With iTunes, if you want to buy music, it will cost you .99 cents per song, or you can purchase by the album. But with Zune Marketplace, You could subscribe to the marketplace for $14.99 a month with unlimited downloads for that month. You can also go for individual downloads. Purchase up to 50 songs (4000 Microsoft Points) with $50. Once you purchase Points, you can browse and purchase songs or albums through the Zune Marketplace for 79 Microsoft Points per track (roughly 99 cents). Microsoft Points, the coin for the Zune Marketplace realm, is a universal system that works across borders, including Xbox Live Marketplace and other Microsoft properties.

More iPod and Zune comparison information: http://www.dvdtozune.com/zune-vs-ipod.html

Does that mean the Zune is your best buy this holiday season?

That depends. If the Zune wireless music sharing is appealing to you, and you’re a Windows user, then Zune is probably your best choice. If you’re not interested in the Wifi and FM tuner, you will definetly want to look at the iPod.

The video, describes Zune's menu and function, is worth watching: "Zune interface walkthrough" http://handhelds.engadget.com/2006/1...through-video/

[lpxxfaintxx]

Great post. I don't get why someone would get an ipod, when there's something coming out with more features, for the lower price.

[yensed]

Good list. I've read so many of those thing on so many difforent sites :-p.

Originally Posted by LPXXFAiNTXX

Great post. I don't get why someone would get an ipod, when there's something coming out with more features, for the lower price.

I think the same reason people buy the Razr(Cell Phone).

I know a lot of people around my age(I'm 16) that got an iPod because everyone els had them and so they can say "I've got an iPod". A friend of one of my friends bought a 30GB iPod and only has about 300 songs on the thing. No videos or pictures. He doesn't even have a computer with broadband and relies on other people computers to put songs on it. But I guess the $250 was worth it since he can brag about having an iPod(Which everyone already has). That is another thing about the Zune I like over the iPod. Not everyone is going to have it( For a while) and it will be a little more "Unique".

[putis]

Ya, it'll definitely be the new hot thing for a while. I have a feeling it won't take long to catch on though.

[lpxxfaintxx]

Hopefully it won't start too many Ipod vs. Zune fights in school. :P

[Zuneologist]

Originally Posted by LPXXFAiNTXX

Hopefully it won't start too many Ipod vs. Zune fights in school. :P

too late for that. i've seen so many verbal ones already.

[putis]

Lol, ya?
What do they argue about?

[Zuneologist]

like someone will come with the argument(which is true) that iPod is more of a popularity thing..everyone has one...so people get it.
and the creative person will say something along the lines, "you paid so much for a piece of crap." "Creative has more features".

[yensed]

Originally Posted by LPXXFAiNTXX

Hopefully it won't start too many Ipod vs. Zune fights in school. :P

Well if it does, lets hope they make it on youtube XP