Zune Vs. iPod - Which player is right for you?

[hanaku]

Microsoft and Apple are finally going to be going head to head in the MP3 player market this holiday season. The price wars have already begun with Apple throwing the first punch by dropping the price of the newly upgraded 30 Gig iPod to $249.00. Microsoft returned fire by shaving the final price of the Zune to $229.00 (down from a previously reported $284).

Microsoft appears to be bringing out the big guns with this player, adding features like WiFi sharing that the iPod doesn’t have, pricing themselves below Apple’s dominant Mp3 player, and backing the Zune with a major media push that, so far, has included giveaways on The Ellen DeGeneres show, tech sites like Engadget and more. Plus they’re setting birds ON FIRE, so you KNOW they’re serious.

But the real question is…which device is right for YOU? Putting all hype aside for a minute, let’s look at the specs of the system, the features and services we know about, and the prices involved with each device. By comparing what we know now, you can get one of these bad boys on your wish lists early…and hope they don’t sell out.We’re going to be comparing the 30 Gig iPod to the 30 Gig Zune, since they are closest in price, storage, and battery life.

Storage - This is one category where the two players are even. Both are capable of storing 30 Gigs worth of date

Winner: n/a

Battery Life - The iPod sports a 14/4 hour battery life, while Microsoft’s Zune comes in just slightly under with 12 hours of power.

Winner: iPod

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

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

Winner: iPod

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

Winner: Zune

Brand Stability - This may not seem important at first, but the iPod is THE standard in MP3 players. It is an established brand that has little to no chance of going anywhere anytime soon, no matter how the “war” with Microsoft goes. Zune, however, is a new brand, and a new way of doing business for Microsoft. If it fails, this time next year you might not have a place to buy Zune content.

Winner: iPod

Content - This category is the one that has the opportunity to change the most. 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. It is safe to assume that the Zune Marketplace will feature TV and MOVIE content, but right now we don’t have any idea how that will go.And as usual, i can as well as use Imtoo DVD to ipod suite to convert all video and audio files easily.,but zune converter suite may already be Released. So, for now at least, this one goes to Apple.

Winner: iPod

Navigation - The iPod clickwheel is simple to use, and an intuitive interface. The Zune circular buttons, are merely a directional pad. While video of the Zune UI looks stylish and eye catching, without a “clickwheel” styled nav control, it won’t be as smooth as the iPod.

Winner: iPod

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

Winner: Zune

Download Choice - With iTunes, if you want to buy music, it will cost you .99 cents per song, or you can purchase by the album. With Zune, you’ll be able to choose from buying songs individually, or purchasing an “all-you-can-eat” subscription, allowing you to listen to as much music as you want. Microsoft’s decision to give users a choice, gives Zune the edge.

Winner: Zune

Size - The iPod is slimmer, mainly due to the lack of Wifi and FM Tuner built into the design.

Winner: iPod

Price - Apple just dropped the price of the 30 Gig iPod to $249. Microsoft has responded by, reportedly, marking down the Zune price from $284 to $229 $249. Twenty bucks isn’t a HUGE amount of money…but it is enough to give Zune the edge in this category.

Winner: n/a

Final totals:

iPod - 6

Zune - 4


Does that mean the iPod is your best buy ?

That depends. If the social aspects of Zune are appealing to you, and you’re a Windows user, then Zune is probably your best choice. If you’re not interested in the Wifi features, you will definetly want to look at the iPod, but in several important areas (screen size, download choice, price…) Zune is a clear winner.

Believe me when I tell you, I’m not a big Microsoft fan. I’m typing this on a Mac right now. If the mythical “True Video iPod” ever shows up, it might blow Zune out of the water…but right now, it’s a close race - which can only be good for all of us.

[lpxxfaintxx]

I think the navigation part was a bit biased... Not all people think the scroll wheel is easier to use. Also, the Zune has the "twist" navigation, where you can jump from categories to categories without having to go back.

[Marshillboy]

hanaku, next time please state your sources so people don't think you made that. Nice comparison anyways.

[xjjaboiix]

yea i have both ipod and zune i find it easier to navigate on the zune. and the as the design/size i really think the zune looks better.

[Lettuce23]

It may not be so much the navigation feature of the clickwheel that is "easy to use" but rather it is harder to wear out than the Zune's directional pad. So i think the point really should go to ipod for that. I'm curious however how the second generation zune will come out with to combat the sixth generation ipod. Also, I think this should be stickied. Lack of noting resources kind of hurts this but still, very very good post. Kudos to you hanaku.

[putis]

Originally Posted by Lettuce23

Also, I think this should be stickied.

Sure, why not.

[Zuneologist]

Zune for me.

[David]

Originally Posted by Lettuce23

It may not be so much the navigation feature of the clickwheel that is "easy to use" but rather it is harder to wear out than the Zune's directional pad. So i think the point really should go to ipod for that.

How is that true... My friend's ipod barely even works cause the wheel crapped out on him. also the directional pad on my sega genisis still works fine.. but my laptop's touch pad alrealy freaks out on me when I click with it.

[RadioactiveT]

i like zunes navigation much better. with ipod i always overshoot my target.

i love my zune, after owning an ipod mini for 2 years and an ipod video for almost a year. i still like the zune alot better.

the only thing zune needs, is a zune micro. or something similair, a smaller zune about 2-4 gb or something. im almost temped to get rid of my zune and buy an ipod nano, only because i workout alot and the zune is a bit bulky for the pocket whilst your running/working out etc.

[hanaku]

Hey, everybody!
I have forgotten my password, so I leaved here for a longtime.
I am very glad that you like my article.
But during the compare, I found it is to early to decide anything, Microsoft might run into problems since so many people already have Ipods that they wont be willing to run out and get a Zune right away.

[MajerPayne]

Originally Posted by lpxxfaintxx

I think the navigation part was a bit biased... Not all people think the scroll wheel is easier to use. Also, the Zune has the "twist" navigation, where you can jump from categories to categories without having to go back.

Yah i like the zune navigation much better
With the ipod's navigation i was always goin past things
And back when i didnt want to and crap like that

[hanaku]

Yes, everyone has their own preference. For me, the Zune navigation is better than ipod, I like the simple and convenient.
But Zune also need improve its features and functions, after all the ipod is the 6 generation
Wating for the Zune of 2 generation

[elysia05]

doesn't zune have same battery life as apple ipod?
it just consumes more if in wifi mode

[z_9876]

zune is teh best. it has a bigger screen, radio, and doesnt hav teh annoying wheel. its much easier to navigate thru teh menus instead of usin a wheel 2 rool aorunf teh menus. zune just pwns.

[Fez]

The Real Source

[Techuguy]

That article did not say anything about the new zune 2.0 that is soon coming out!

[Marshillboy]

Originally Posted by Techuguy

That article did not say anything about the new zune 2.0 that is soon coming out!

I've never heard of this "Zune 2.0". Do you have proof and a link?

[Cursemaster0]

Originally Posted by Marshillboy

I've never heard of this "Zune 2.0". Do you have proof and a link?

I belive that this says some stuff about it. there are a few more. If this is wut ure lookin' for.

[crimsonwolf]

Originally Posted by Marshillboy

I've never heard of this "Zune 2.0". Do you have proof and a link?

This should do: http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/zun...good-news.html

[djrunsthesouth07]

ZUNE IS THE BEST