[chgolatin2]

I have several Ipod before and now I have the Iphone which I also use an my Ipod player, video player etc.  I basically have no room in my Iphone anymore so I was looking into the 160gb Ipod and the Zune HD 32gb.  Do I need 160gb of storage probably not but for just $209 its kinda hard to pass by the only reservation is the bulkiness of it and the lack of features that it has.  Zune has a wealth of possibilities, WIFI streaming, HD Radio, OLED Screen, Zune Pass and the list goes on but it only comes in 32gb and a price of about $140 or so.  The OLED screen is awesome, you really have to see it to appreciate it. 

Anyway, I am looking at those that made the switched over to Zune and all other opinions will count as well 

[wilsynet]

http://technology.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979138575

[Phil A]

I had a Zune 30G and went through another and just under a year ago went to an iPod Classic.  I like having the 160GB.  I have not done much with it.  I transferred a bunch of 320bps MP3s I had done for an old WD Media Player but it gave me 4,300 songs to listen to for now.  I had a bunch of things I did for the Zune and put them on the computer in WMA lossless which I'm using for the Squeezebox Touch.  I have the iPhone but have not gotten to put anything on that yet.  Actually as far as HD Radio goes, I have that in my main system but other than setting it up and listening to a few things I generally listen to internet radio over the Squeezebox Touch (with an upgraded power supply).  Linn Jazz at 320bps sounds really good.  I'm tempted to download the $5.99 App for the iPhone (and probably will at some point) and get internet radio.

[etcarroll]

I went to the Zune from iPod as I preferred the way it handled multi-segment podcasts over the iPod/iTunes.

However, the word is MS is getting out of the Zune biz, so I just bought another one on eBay to have a backup.

[Phil A]

I've never used either other than for audio.  I got the Zune originally factory refurbished at woot.com as while I have both a Mac and a Windows machine I had bought a streamer that worked with WMA originally (no longer have it) as it was easy to put the stuff in WMA and then compress it for the Zune which just gets used in the car like the iPod (although I now have an alarm clock to use it with too).  It doesn't surprise me that MS will be getting out of the business.  It's touch when so many accessories (i.e. alarm clocks, docks) are made for the iPod and very few for other devices.  I could have bought the Zune HD or the iPod Classic last November (I believe the Zune was actually on sale Black Friday when I bought) but ultimately I decided to go for the storage capacity of the iPod Classic as I just want it for music.

[chgolatin2]

I went ahead and purchase the Zune HD 32GB today for just $108 shipped  So lets see how it goes, I will post a review soon!~


Thanks

[Pez]

Dude Zune is dead. While Microsoft never officially killed it the thing hasn't been updated at all in two years. I hope you don't want to use it for apps or anything other than listening to music. As far as the oled screen it's roughly half the resolution and a fraction of the brightness of current iPods.

Digital radio, and rental music are a poor substitute for actual functionality, not to mention all the peripherals you can't get because there is no one making anything for Zune.

[chgolatin2]

Pez, if Zune was dead they wouldnt be selling their Media players and having their version of the Itunes Store, which is Zune Pass.  So, I'm not sure as to how you got your information from, if it's was a rumor than thats just it a rumor, but to say that they are "dead" for 2 YEARS 

Either way, I only spent $108 on their Zune HD 32GB and if you view the CNET.COM review on the Zune HD is surpasses the Ipods by far.  Yes, Ipod has the market dominated and their product is good, however, other companies do have better products.  Ipod's is NOT the ultimate product on earth.  Saying that I love Apple products, I have a macbook, smaller Ipod an a Iphone and yes I am an Apple Fan and loyal customer.  With that said, I dont subscribe to the massess like so many Apple fans do.  I explore other alternatives because in America we can do that!   

[Pez]

I'm not just pulling out random information man. Think about it for a second. iPod refreshes happen at least once a year, if not twice a year. The Zune HD (which btw is a terrible name being that the screen does not have the ability to output HD at all) you bought was released in 2009 around October. That means.... NO REFRESHES FOR TWO YEARS. Those are just cold hard facts. As far as Zune pass that service exists because MS uses it for Window phones 7 and Xbox.

Fact: Robbie Bach the head of Zune team was sh!tcanned a year or so ago, same with J Allard who headed the Zune team push. The downtown Seattle office where Zune was created was shut down

Read this if you want further proof.
http://www.businessinsider.com/henry-blodget-the-real-reason-microsofts-robbie-bach-was-fired-2010-5
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/j-allards-goodbye-note-no-chairs-were-thrown/6334
http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-shuts-down-hipster-design-offices-in-downtown-seattle-2011-5
http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/04/zune-originals-shut-down-humans-revert-to-being-average-and-unc/
http://www.businessinsider.com/zune-2011-3
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-14/microsoft-said-to-stop-releasing-new-zune-models-as-demand-ebbs.html
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2381951,00.asp

Keep in mind MS never actually came out and said it was 'dead', but they basically said Zune lives on in smartphones and Xbox, aka Zune hardware is no more.

I'm not saying Zune sucks and iPod is great, I'm simply saying you bought a device that is outdated and will not see any love from MS ever again. If you are ok with that then more power to you, I'm sure you'll like your player, I've used a Zune and it's pretty good. But this day and age people want apps apps apps and there ain't a soul alive developing apps for Zune and WP7 apps are not compatible with it at all.

Oh and one last thing F Cnet. Their reviews are garbage and their site is garbage.

[chgolatin2]

Pez, thanks for all the info however that wasnt necessary.  For every color their is a taste, not "everyone" has the same taste, likes, dislikes, opinion, facts and the list goes on.  Every "Review" is subjective on anything from Auto's, Stereo, Speakers, Tube Vs Solid State and the list goes on.  What works for me may not work for others and the same in return.  I know that you are trying to prove a point and I respect that, but if I decided to purchase something w my own hard earned money so be it, I worked for it nobody else did, right?   Lastly, its only $108 which is cheaper than a date (dinner, show, drinks etc)

I'm just testing out the waters, seeing if I like the player, if I don't OH WELL!  My lost  I value your "opinion backed by facts posted" however, that is subjective as well, just like my opinion, taste etc so were on even ground here 

Thanks for the info~   

[srb]

As the comments were made after purchasing the Zune, they seemed more targeted at killing your enjoyment and bursting the bubble.  Dude.
 
Because you own both, I'm interested in hearing your comments after you've become more familiar with it.  Like you said, it's a pretty good price for a 32GB music player.  I have a friend who has need of a portable player but doesn't need or want the other features.  And he is unlikely to pay any more than that, so for him it could be that or nothing.  And I'm sure this thing is better than nothing.
 
Steve

[eclein]

$108 shipped...where I'm in like Flynn, you don't have to ask me twice. If its dead and holds 32 GB and can play it back, who cares.......link me up please guys when you can. Thanks!!!

[Pez]

As the comments were made after purchasing the Zune, they seemed more targeted at killing your enjoyment and bursting the bubble.  Dude. 

Passive aggressive does not suit you Steve. I will say it again (since Steve didn't actually bother to read my previous response) the Zune is a good player. As far as audio it's at least as good as iPod and better if you are talking about the ear buds. I hope the OP enjoys it. That said everything else I posted still holds true.

If you guys want a great deal on dead technology you should also check out the 16 gig HP touchpad. THATS a great deal @ $100

[eclein]

I can't find anybody who has any HP's and no cash now anyway but I'll jump on one why not...in this hobby $100 is chump change-not to me but it seems like anything that has some balls and sounds good is at least $100...I could be wrong and just talking nervously as the wind is howling pretty good here now....LOL....if I get washed away its been awesome!!!!

[Phil A]

I went to Best Buy last Sunday and there were at least 100 people waiting for $99 HP tablets.  They announced none were left and they had a few for those that ordered online.  $100 isn't bad for anything as long as you get some use for it.  My Zune lasted about a year and a half and they I got an exchanged refurb that lasted a bit under that.   So I think in total I spend about $200 for just under three years and it got used several times a week in the car and I'm left with some WMA lossless files on a PC that I'm not using for the Squeezebox Touch.  If the prices come down even more, I might even pick one up.  I have music I can put on it.  I also have digital copies of movies that came with Blu-Rays if I want to go somewhere and take movies with me. 

[chgolatin2]

I always check ebay and Amazon, but Amazon in my opinion has the best prices and not over priced shipping charges.  I purchase my Zune HD 32 GD for just $108 SHIPPED~  Let me be completely honest, its one awesome little player with many capabilities.  YES I do love Ipod's don't get me wrong but many of the Ipod features are not needed if all you want is music and some videos.    Here's a link, also, this little media player has over 1k reviews on Amazon. 

I also found the older player which has a 120GB HD at Tiger Direct local store here in Chicago for just $130!~~~~

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002JPITY8/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1314549959&sr=8-1&condition=used

[srb]

Looking at your Amazon link, your original reference to a "price of about $140 or so" appears to be for used ones.  New ones look like they sell for around the same price as the 32GB iPod Touch.
 
Steve

[zacster]

I thought Zune died a long time ago. 

I still like iPods with click wheels, I can work them without looking at the screen, at least for the basic functions.

[chgolatin2]

Actually do some research, they appear to be "used" but they are factory refurb, I purchase mine for $108 and it came in a new box, buds, manual, usb charging cable


quote author=srb link=topic=97819.msg983965#msg983965 date=1314551208]
Looking at your Amazon link, your original reference to a "price of about $140 or so" appears to be for used ones.  New ones look like they sell for around the same price as the 32GB iPod Touch.
 
Steve
[/quote]