Zune 80 GB Digital Media Player (Black) by Zune
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List Price: Our Price: $135.00 You Save: $114.00 (46%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Network Media Player See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Zune 80 GB Digital Media Player (Black)
Digital camera Review: A solid, well-designed high capacity MP3 player
Summary: 5 Stars
I already own an iRiver HP120, which I love. But it's over 5 years old, and it's getting a little tired. I really like the form factor of my iRiver (held vertically, not too small, not too big), and most newer players don't look like it at all. I wanted something that WASN'T touch screen based, as I use my MP3 player a lot in the car and I don't want to have to look at it in order to use it. I bought my wife a Cowon iAudio6 about a year ago, and it's really sweet. The new iAudio7 is flash based and holds 16 GB, but it's actually a little too small in size for my taste. I like the new Sonys, but their capacity is too low (even the newer 16 GB 800 series models). I have an enormous music collection, and I listen to it a lot. I kept eying the Zune, and went back and forth about 5 times before buying it. The things about it that appealed to me were: the form factor, the capacity, the interface, the build quality, the battery life. The things about it that prevented me from buying it right away were: the fact that it's made by Microsoft, the fact that it's completely non-customizable, the poor reviews of the Zune v1.0 software, the fact that it can't act as a USB host, and mostly because you can't access the Zune device without using the Zune software -- and it's locked down pretty tight.
I have the Zune now for a few days and my first impressions are as follows:
The Zune device is well-made. I really like the size and shape -- it's almost perfect. The screen is awesome. The interface is surprisingly good and is fast. I like the touch pad (squircle). The sound quality is very good. The wireless capability is actually pretty cool. I can sync my Zune over my 802.11g WLAN at home (supports WEP, WPA, WPA2, TKIP, AES) without connecting it to my PC. I wish it had equalization controls like the original Zune, and more tweaking options like my old iRiver.
The Zune software is better than I was expecting. It does have some strangeness to it, but it works fairly well. For me, it's main shortcoming is that I can't customize how it presents my music collection. You have limited sorting options as to how the contents are displayed. It's not a show-stopper, but it's worth mentioning. I haven't played with the online aspects of sharing yet via the 'social', but I will get to it in time. In order to participate in this stuff you will need a Windows Live account, although you are NOT obligated to share your Zune collection if you don't want to.
So far, I am impressed with this little device, and I don't think that I made a mistake buy buying one. It looks like it will last a long time, and I can only hope that future firmware and software updates will address some of my gripes. Overall, a very impressive second effort by Microsoft. I think they got it right this time.
Digital camera Review: A true IPod 5 Stars
I have owned several IPods and I thought that I would give the Zune a chance, I sure am glad that I did. The Zune has surpassed all my expectations and has completely turned me off IPods. Give it a chance and I'm sure you will agree that IPods are INFERIOR!!!!Digital camera Review: A very good, high-capacity alternative to an iPod
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had my Zune 80 since launch, and I've finally gotten around to actual reviewing it.
It's a cheaper alternative that benefits from a lot of third-party support, probably due to Microsoft's high-profile reputation in consumer electronics. The screen is very nice and very large, and mine came with no bad pixels or anything like that. For me, the Zune pad is a welcome alternative to the iPod scrolling pad. It also comes with a tuner and wireless Zune-to-Zune functions (though I haven't made much use of them).
The negatives? Well, the software can be difficult to use, especially if you have to reformat your PC, though I've yet to run into a MP3 player that actual handles Album Art well. Fortunately, unlike the iPod, there are alternatives to the Zune Software.
All in all, it's a great media player, very portable and with excellent capacity. The software leaves a lot to be desired, but it's not the constant headache that a lot of people (myself included) have with iTunes--however, the actual Zune OS is a pleasure to use and very straightforward and cosmetically appealing. Definitely worth a buy, if you don't want to pay a fortune for a similar iPod.
Digital camera Review: AMAZING
Summary: 5 Stars
I love my Zune it's great, I have had it for 2 years and I only just started having problems with it. I am a bit rough with the hold button so it doesn't work anymore. :(
Other than that it's amazing. I could sit here and sing it's praises all day, but I have things to do.
-K
Digital camera Review: AMAZING PRODUCT
Summary: 5 Stars
I own Zune V1, and this one is much more better than Zune V1, it's lighter, cutter, and more user friendly, I've also worked sometimes with iPod Classes, and this one bets it to death :)