• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

iPod or Zune??

I've got an iPod and my g/f a Zune-- plain and simple: my ipod has crappy battery life, is always resetting itself and scratches like crazy (ie I am not happy with it); however, using WinAMP makes it bearable opposed to the iTunes POS

The Zune on the other hand does everything it says it does, and (suprise, suprise) VERY WELL-- looks slick and has soem really nice features, which is very refreshing compared to all the same 'old ipod' bs. Honestly, I think the Zune software needs some tweaking, but other than, a satisfying purchase. Go with the Zune!
:cool:
 
bluidephatom said:
personally, I hate the Zune's interface. the directional pad isn't touch sensitive for volume and navigation, and the interface is frustrating. plus, no itunes. I have a 30g video and I love it. apple has better support for the ipod than M$ for the Zune. I say ipod.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but i have to post this so i wont forget... One question why would you use an apple program made for apple products (apple Ipod) on a microsoft product (zune) anyways??? haha ur funny
 
Well anyways I'm in the same position as the thread starter.. And after reading and reviewing I'm definitely getting the zune.. I like the big screen, push buttons, layout, and the feature how you can use your pictures as backgrounds. Plus I'd rather support microsoft then apple. Most people like ipod because everyone has them and apple is just good at advertising them and packaging. The zune deserves a shit load more respect. Also some ppl may complain how the zune is bigger... Well it is but only buy a little bit. The size doesn't really matter for me. Just as long its not so freaking huge.
 
bluidephatom said:
plus, no itunes..
Click to expand...
I can't help but laugh at reasoning like this considering that itunes is free software that anyone can use regardless of what player they have.

Wendig0 said:
The zune deserves a shit load more respect.
Click to expand...
Yes it does, as does every other player out there. I'm sick and tired of seeing players like the Vision and Zune getting slammed in reviews or even worse getting beaming praise in a review only to have their conclusion edge the ipod for reasons that nobody can figure out. I read a CNET article some time back on the 30gig Vision and Zune war and their tests showed the Vision had better audio quality, better screen, supported more formats, an easier to use interface, etc etc then at the end they gave a slight nod to the ipod for no apparent reason. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the only thing Apple has going for it is a massive cult following that simply defies all logic and reason.
 
I don't know too much about Zunes, But I heard they're wireless, they have bigger screens, and transfering media sounds easier. My 5th gen iPod has been acting up lately. The screen just goes white for hours, and it has to sit overnight before I can use it. Really annoying... POS if you asked me. My vote is for the Zune!!!
 
My buddy just got a used Zune at work. He likes it much better than his video iPod.
/story
 
I started following this thread and the varying opinions so just for S’s a G’s let me drop my two cents worth in.

Aside from wanting a new toy I really have no practical use for any machine of this type, but like I said, I’m a born again toy guy.

I sold iPods, Creative products and some Archos. First they were all a pain to sell and second I got really tired of the returns for various reasons.

Then a few months ago I got to play with a Zune and noticed the build quality, picture quality and audio quality was just plain good, way better then I ever expected from a portable mini player.

I already knew it was being sourced from Toshiba which I figured was much better then MS building their own stuff so that was a plus as well. The problem was the price, not that it wasn’t a great value but I had two hundred dollars stuck in my mind as my budget for a toy and on principal I was going to stick to it.

Then one day I spotted the Gigabeat and got a chance to play with it. It is the model MES60V with twice the storage of the Zune. A bit of Google work and I found out what I already suspected, Toshiba would indeed honor the warrantee but was offering no real support on the product anymore. I also found out that while the Zune was a knockoff of the smaller version of the Toshiba there were more then a few differences. It came with a real AC charger, ear buds, AV out cable for use with a TV, FM radio, USB data and charging cord and a SD to USB adaptor to allow me to upload files from my camera to the Gigabeat. It was a heavier unit, seemed to have really good build quality, sounded great even on the included ear buds and I could put a crap load of movies and music on it as well as pictures. It was loaded with the latest version of the now completely discontinued MS mobile software as well and is fully compatible with media player 10 and 11. Any version of XP or Vista, including Vista 64 will see and sync with the device perfectly. I found I could also explore the hard drive in Windows Explorer and add or delete picture and music files as well. It is compatible with all the MS music formats as well as MP-3 and for movies it plays MMV files once loaded through media player.

All that and, most important, this little bugger that used to sell for all but $499.99 could be had for $200.00, my magic number. They can still be had for $200.00 if you look around but the price seems to be going up in spite of the fact that Toshiba dumped countless numbers of them on the US market after being screwed by MS.

Now, 4 months into ownership I love the little beast and have to admit I can find damn few faults. Figure about 4 hours of battery time on movies, about 12 for music depending on how you set the back light and eq settings etc. For a toy I didn’t need I find myself using it more and more every day. Oh, before I forget, the controls are very easy and intuitive to use, the unit hard to scratch and there are cases still available for it.

Back to the Zune and MS/Toshiba thing. Toshiba agreed to pull or at least limit the distribution of the Gigabeat as part of their deal with MS. MS has decided that they are going to renege on that whole deal and release a new Zune (Zune-2?) with a proprietary operating system, buy all the parts from various suppliers and have it all built by a third party. Big surprise huh?

I’ve had mine apart and everything inside is available for replacement if needed and I can put a higher capacity battery in it as well (you can on the Zune too)

Software wise I highly recommend AVS4YOU. Yes, you have to pay for it and I won’t link it from here but it is the only tool(s) you will ever need for ANY portable device. The fact is for one fee you get all their software that integrates within itself very nicely and blows Nero and ROXIO out of the water.

So, from a guy who didn’t want or need one, I got my toy and have no regrets and will probably upgrade the hard drive when the Toshiba 1.8” 120 gig drive drops in price.

Just an alternative thought for those looking for a cool toy.;)
 
BillR said:
Then a few months ago I got to play with a Zune and noticed the build quality, picture quality and audio quality was just plain good, way better then I ever expected from a portable mini player.
Click to expand...
So let me get this straight, you simply held the Zune and immediately knew it had good build quality? Did you brush your hand Jedi style over the 360 at release and immediately know it would have 3ROD problems?
 
I just bought a Zune over the weekend. I went and checked one out at BB before hand and thought it was cool. My mom has an ipod video and I use it quite a bit to put movies and music on it for her. I really dont like it at all. I dont like the UI, the buttons, or the feel of it. So I went with the Zune. I much prefer the look, UI, and screen size, and having actual buttons. I also cant stand itunes... Didnt get a chance to listen to the zune at the store but if it sounds at least as good as an ipod then i'll be a happy camper.
 
Zune has a bit more bottom end than the ipod....it coulda been the quality of the recording that i was listening to varied....but thats IMO
 
If you're not an Apple hater and want an easy to use/stylish MP3 player, then get an iPod. The Zune is ok, but I'd rather have the tried and true.
 
i vote neither, Zen Vision:M 30/60GB or Zen Vision:W. much more file formats, can be used as removable HDD storage, great screen, easy controls, and no software required to be loaded to transfer.
 
six_storm said:
If you're not an Apple hater and want an easy to use/stylish MP3 player, then get an iPod. The Zune is ok, but I'd rather have the tried and true.
Click to expand...
I've never understood what's so easy to use about one of the most pain in the ass mp3 player lines out there. I rather enjoy being able to hook my mp3 player up to any computer and have it work without installing itunes. Apparently that makes it difficult to use :rolleyes:
 
i have both, and the zune is a pos (a little harsh i know). i dont know if i got a dud, but ive had a lot of problems w/ it (hardware related). the zune software is ass, i though nothing could be worse than itunes, but man was i wrong. wireless is pretty useless. i know 1 other person w/ a zune, and he sold it for an ipod. and for some strange reason, you cant edit id3 tags after theyve been placed on the zune.

the zune does have some good qualities tho. custom wallpapers is cool, i change my wp on the regular. having a radio is a lot more usefull than i thought, and the bigger screen and interface seems better than the ipod. but no podcasts, crappy software, and a useless feature which could have been monumental makes me say ipod>zune.
 
iPod. This should be obvious, as there's so many more accessories and so much more support for the iPod than any other player available.
 
ne0-reloaded said:
i have both, and the zune is a pos (a little harsh i know). i dont know if i got a dud, but ive had a lot of problems w/ it (hardware related). the zune software is ass, i though nothing could be worse than itunes, but man was i wrong. wireless is pretty useless. i know 1 other person w/ a zune, and he sold it for an ipod. and for some strange reason, you cant edit id3 tags after theyve been placed on the zune.
Click to expand...
Would you mind explaining real quick what hardware problems you had with your Zune and why you don't like the Zune software?
 
I'm a Zune owner.
Hands down, Zune. The hardware here has been absolutely flawless, and continually whomps on my coworker's iPod Nano on battery life. It's sturdy as hell, it's fine after a few tumbles, and the buttons have very satisfying clicks.

But gods does the software SUCK. Get yourself some GOOD bulk tagging software BEFORE you even try to import anything. The software is amazingly good at turning one album into six and being completely and utterly impossible to organize.
 
I own a Zune, and once before an Ipod, hands down the Zune wins, It is a very sturdy devise, that is very easy to use, and quite simply looks better IMO. The bigger screen is amazing for videos and the sound quality (w/ out of the box earbuds) is better.

For all of the people saying there is more accesories for the Ipod, your 100% right, and they also cost a TON. the zune has a special pack for $100 that gives you everything you need. it comes w/ a stand that charges it, and outputs audio (so you can hook it up to your speakers) It also comes w/ a wireless remote, output cables (to view content, pics, videos, ect)

Honestly I LOVE my zune, and would NEVER go back to the Ipod. And for the $200 I paid for it at BB a few weeks back, It doesn't get better :p
 
AreEss said:
But gods does the software SUCK. Get yourself some GOOD bulk tagging software BEFORE you even try to import anything. The software is amazingly good at turning one album into six and being completely and utterly impossible to organize.
Click to expand...
Yeah I think the zune rocks but it is a pain to manage some albums. Do you have any recommendations for tagging software?
 
demorgoron said:
meh,the 360 doesnt have Home
Click to expand...

Nobody thinks before they open their mouths anymore (well typing anyways)?
Live gives you every single one of these features, all proven to be functional and effective (whereas Home has proven nothing), for FREE. That's right kid, it doesn't cost a thing.
 
When using the Zune software to add track information, I found it better to let it add only missing information. This'll keep the software from spreading a few songs over multiple albums. You can select them en masse and edit the bunch too.
 
BIGJ said:
the zune has a special pack for $100 that gives you everything you need.
Click to expand...
Except that it doesn't. My Pioneer amplifier has an iPod input built-in, and can control the iPod directly through the Pioneer remote, even switching and upconverting video. The $100 Zune kit doesn't have that.

If you need to save money, or hate Apple's software or formats, maybe the Zune is an option. Otherwise, I think the iPod is a blindingly obvious choice.
 
I've owned both (the Zune currently, an iPod mini previously), I can't really say a whole lot of good about my old iPod mini, the screen scratched VERY easily and I wasn't even that brutal to it, the iPod earbuds broke after some only moderate use, the things just fell apart, great build quality apple :rolleyes: , and then just about 6 months out of warranty I get the dreaded exclamation mark, and apple wants more than the mini is worth to get it fixed, yea that makes a lot of sense. My mom has had button issues with her nano where she cannot get it to turn it off and the battery drains until it dies, they also want about $200 to fix it and it is just a few months out of the 1 year warranty. That is my biggest reason to switching to the Zune, and I can't say I have any complaints (I don't really mind iTunes or the Zune software, none of them really bothered me that much pretty user friendly), good battery life, great display, large storage, the works, I'm a happy Zune customer so far.
 
crashthenet44 said:
Would you mind explaining real quick what hardware problems you had with your Zune and why you don't like the Zune software?
Click to expand...

within the first week i got it it would constantly lock up on me. a few weeks later the headphones pretty much disentigrated in my hands. it just came apart (i still have my 1st ipod headphones from like 4 or 5 years ago). last the usb cable broke. microsoft was cool with fixing everthing, but it shouldnt have happened. note enough qc imo.

the software is just slow. from installing it, to updating the firmware, plus its not aesthetically pleasing. even launching it takes way too long for my taste. also you cant edit id3 tags after you put the music on the zune.

im not mad or angry or anything tho, thats the price you pay when you buy 1st gen hardware.
 
mikeblas said:
The $100 Zune kit doesn't have that.
Click to expand...
That's funny because many Pioneer, Sony, Dual, and Clarion all have support for other devices as well. Not to mention the IME dock that works with the Zune and Vision:M. Just because YOUR cd player doesn't support the Zune doesn't mean that others don't. Creative really screwed up in that regard but iriver, cowon, and a host of other mp3 players are compatible with many car audio decks.

The thing with ipod accessories is this....the vast majority of them are completely useless and, believe it or not, with a little searching you can find all the worthwhile accessories for other players as well. I buy mp3 players for their functionality, not the ability to charge it on my toilet paper dispenser while I unload a deuce. It's pretty weak of the apple fanboys to fall back on accessories....especially considering how they've defended the terrible accessory support is on Macs for years.
 
Blown 89 said:
I've never understood what's so easy to use about one of the most pain in the ass mp3 player lines out there. I rather enjoy being able to hook my mp3 player up to any computer and have it work without installing itunes. Apparently that makes it difficult to use :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

What's so hard about using iTunes? It's a great way to organize and buy music . . . I guess installing iTunes is just SO difficult or something. Even if you don't like iTunes, there are alternatives (just don't know the names for the Windows alternatives).
 
Blown 89 said:
Just because YOUR cd player doesn't support the Zune doesn't mean that others don't.
Click to expand...
Of course, I never made that assertion. Are you quoting the wrong post?

Blown 89 said:
Creative really screwed up in that regard but iriver, cowon, and a host of other mp3 players are compatible with many car audio decks.
Click to expand...
I'm not talking about a car deck.

Blown 89 said:
The thing with ipod accessories is this....the vast majority of them are completely useless and, believe it or not, with a little searching you can find all the worthwhile accessories for other players as well.
Click to expand...
Where can I find an adapter from the Apple dock connector to the Zune?

Blown 89 said:
I buy mp3 players for their functionality, not the ability to charge it on my toilet paper dispenser while I unload a deuce.
Click to expand...
That's very smart of you, but almost completely orthogonal to this conversation. I'm talking about integrating an iPod into my home audio system. Sure, I could cobble together something with the second-rate Zune accessories; but why would I, when my high-quality integrated amplifier directly supports the iPod and integrates it into the system? That advantage is far more satisfying than unloading even the largest deuce.

Blown 89 said:
It's pretty weak of the apple fanboys to fall back on accessories....especially considering how they've defended the terrible accessory support is on Macs for years.
Click to expand...
I hope you're not trying to imply that I'm an Apple fanboy.
 
six_storm said:
What's so hard about using iTunes? It's a great way to organize and buy music . . . I guess installing iTunes is just SO difficult or something. Even if you don't like iTunes, there are alternatives (just don't know the names for the Windows alternatives).
Click to expand...
It's the fact that you HAVE to install itunes. I can hook up my mp3 player to ANY computer anywhere and operate it if I have to. In environments like an office you don't always have the option of installing software to run your proprietary device. It's an unnecessary pain in the ass.
 
Blown 89 said:
It's the fact that you HAVE to install itunes. I can hook up my mp3 player to ANY computer anywhere and operate it if I have to. In environments like an office you don't always have the option of installing software to run your proprietary device. It's an unnecessary pain in the ass.
Click to expand...

So what's the problem with intalling iTunes OR an alternative program? That's like saying "I don't want to install drivers for this new peripheral but I want it to work" In environments like an office, some computers won't even let you bring/install a freakin jump drive.
 
Got my zune yesterday. Loving it so far. Totally prefer it over my moms Ipod video (which I have extensive experience with). Totally prefer the look, feel, and UI of the zune. Nice big, clear screen, customizable background, sounds great. Didnt have any problems at all with the software. I just installed it, plugged in the zune, turned off auto sync and dragged in whatever I wanted. Its also very fast at recognizing the zune and I like not having to unload it after I'm done putting stuff on it. Just close the software and you can unplug it. No biggie.
 
six_storm said:
So what's the problem with intalling iTunes OR an alternative program?
Click to expand...
It's not always feasible and not everybody wants iTunes on their computer. Do you carry a copy of iTunes around with you to install on computers when you need to hook up your mp3 player?
 
Blown 89 said:
It's not always feasible and not everybody wants iTunes on their computer. Do you carry a copy of iTunes around with you to install on computers when you need to hook up your mp3 player?
Click to expand...

I don't see the need to hook up my iPod to any other computer than the one I own. Even if I had a song on a foreign computer, I would just email it to myself and download it later when I got home. I dunno why you would want to hook up your MP3 player to just *any* PC out there. That's just dirty. :D
 
six_storm said:
I don't see the need to hook up my iPod to any other computer than the one I own. Even if I had a song on a foreign computer, I would just email it to myself and download it later when I got home. I dunno why you would want to hook up your MP3 player to just *any* PC out there. That's just dirty. :D
Click to expand...
Thats true. THere is a chance the mp3 player could get infected and go limp. I'd cry if that happaned to me. :( :(
 
six_storm said:
I don't see the need to hook up my iPod to any other computer than the one I own. Even if I had a song on a foreign computer, I would just email it to myself and download it later when I got home. I dunno why you would want to hook up your MP3 player to just *any* PC out there. That's just dirty. :D
Click to expand...
So because you don't see the need to it justifies the requirement?
 
I just pulled the trigger on a new Halo 3 edition Zune, I had a iPod but I hate iTunes, Plus I like how zune has the "All you can eat" music download thing.

:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top