Zune vs iPod in the Real World

Vikingod · Oct 2, 2006, 02:10 PM

Source: DailyTech
__________
A lot of comparisons have been made between the new 5.5G 30GB iPod and the Microsoft Zune on paper. The two players share the same hard drive capacity, but the Zune throws in a larger 3" screen, FM tuner and WiFi capabilities. And as we just recently found out, the two players also share the same $250 price tag.

Erroneus · Oct 2, 2006, 05:38 PM

I actually think the zune looks pretty nice and has a cool gui, to bad is so thick.

Necrosis · Oct 2, 2006, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Pluses
It's possible to search for nearby Zune users.
Songs can be "loaned out" for a 3 day/3 play trial. After the 3 days (or 3 plays) are up, the songs are deleted from the Zune upon the next sync. Information on the songs, however, are retained for later purchasing (if you so choose).
Users can send and receive photos with no restrictions on viewing.
Minuses
No Internet connectivity.
No wireless syncing.
No wireless downloading of music from Zune Marketplace.

Very limited indeed. The wireless functionality of the Zune sounds like a great idea, but we're going to have to wait for firmware updates from Microsoft to open up this player for true greatness.

Limited indeed? Huh, last time I checked the Ipod couldn't do wireless?

Tipstaff · Oct 3, 2006, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necrosis

Limited indeed? Huh, last time I checked the Ipod couldn't do wireless?

I don't find it to be a plus to have something the other guy doesn't have if you don't actually use it for anything but say, "Oh, look, we have wireless, and they don't!" Seriously, the three "pluses" are pure gimmicks, while the three "minuses" are features that make more sense to include.

Something else that has been bothering me about this Zune vs iPod comparision: battery life. I keep seeing the battery comparison being quoted as close, almost 2-4 hours difference in charge life to the iPod Nano. Problem is, those are old iPod Nano specs. Apple recently (1-2 months ago) changed their designs for the iPod Nano and 80GB iPod. The Nanos now come with up to 24 hours of battery life.. 2x that of Zunes, while the 80GB iPod has up to 20 hours. Granted, the 80GB isn't in it's price range, but the Nano is the direct competitor to the Zune, and here again we see the iPod beating it. Again we see another stupid comparison. Why would MS tout their unit as having similar iPod battery life, when that is no longer the case? The fact that they know it, yet STILL maintain that comparision, to me, is another minus against the Zune (and Microsoft for being so stupid).

If those three missing wireless features were in the Zune, and the battery life was still as close as they were originally, then this comparison would be no contest: Zune wins. As of right now, Apple still has the more appealing device.

nForcer · Oct 3, 2006, 05:58 AM

2 things I don't like about the iPod.

1) Not able to move music from Ipod to PC *something to do with 'limiting pirates'
2) No customizable categories. Screw genre, artist...half of them don't sort correctly anyway!
3) iTunes...what a joke

...ok so I had 3. I like my 30Gb but the minute I find a hack to get around #2 (and 3 [I know how to get around #1]) I'm doing it!

Sandok · Oct 3, 2006, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

..., but the Nano is the direct competitor to the Zune, and here again we see the iPod beating it.

How in the world is the slim nano with no video capabilities the competitor to the Zune? Its the NORMAL ipod that is the competitor of the zune and in that sense, there isn't much battery difference.

And if you really do care about battery, get samsung or creative players since they got MUCH longer battery life. My bro's MP3 player which is just a tad bigger than the nano (just in height) has 40 hours... My Nano has 15 hours (newer ones a bit more). Honestly, I do hope M$ wins...

Erroneus · Oct 3, 2006, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nForcer

2 things I don't like about the iPod.

1) Not able to move music from Ipod to PC *something to do with 'limiting pirates'

Actually you can do this in iTunes 7, you just need to be logged in to your iTunes account and i believe a max. is 5 pc's. But it does requre iTunes 7 which you dont like

Tipstaff · Oct 3, 2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandok

How in the world is the slim nano with no video capabilities the competitor to the Zune? Its the NORMAL ipod that is the competitor of the zune and in that sense, there isn't much battery difference.

And if you really do care about battery, get samsung or creative players since they got MUCH longer battery life. My bro's MP3 player which is just a tad bigger than the nano (just in height) has 40 hours... My Nano has 15 hours (newer ones a bit more). Honestly, I do hope M$ wins...

Actually, the nano can play video, but it's not straight forward to do so.. yet (need to use iPodLinux, and it can only play raw AVI files so far.. give it read HERE). However, Apple has been suggesting they will be adding it "officially" to the nano.

Sandok · Oct 3, 2006, 09:30 PM

Why anyone would want to watch videos on a 1.5" screen is beyond me... And also, the Nano only has a max of 8GB while the Zune and normal iPod is quite a bit larger.

I stand by my notion that Zune is vs the Normal iPOd

nForcer · Oct 4, 2006, 01:26 AM

I'm glad the new Ipod Video's finally support 480p output! 320x240 is a killer

Lessens overall amount of storage but who cares! Even at full-res DVD, on a 30GB Ipod, thats still FIVE COMPLETE MOVIES!

I STILL wish they'd allow custom categories. I like the way my MP3's are sorted on my server (by my own organization). If I could do that with an ipod, I'd praise it till the end of the world!

Necrosis · Oct 4, 2006, 03:43 AM

I have a 5G Ipod, and what is this Itunes thing every one keeps doing about?

Oct 2, 2006, 02:10 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Zune vs iPod in the Real World Source: DailyTech __________ A lot of comparisons have been made between the new 5.5G 30GB iPod and the Microsoft Zune on paper. The two players share the same hard drive capacity, but the Zune throws in a larger 3" screen, FM tuner and WiFi capabilities. And as we just recently found out, the two players also share the same $250 price tag.

Oct 2, 2006, 05:38 PM	#2
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,419 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	I actually think the zune looks pretty nice and has a cool gui, to bad is so thick. __________________

Oct 3, 2006, 05:58 AM	#5
nForcer Twice the fun! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,404 Rep Power: 0	2 things I don't like about the iPod. 1) Not able to move music from Ipod to PC *something to do with 'limiting pirates' 2) No customizable categories. Screw genre, artist...half of them don't sort correctly anyway! 3) iTunes...what a joke ...ok so I had 3. I like my 30Gb but the minute I find a hack to get around #2 (and 3 [I know how to get around #1]) I'm doing it!

Oct 3, 2006, 09:30 PM	#9
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Why anyone would want to watch videos on a 1.5" screen is beyond me... And also, the Nano only has a max of 8GB while the Zune and normal iPod is quite a bit larger. I stand by my notion that Zune is vs the Normal iPOd

Oct 4, 2006, 01:26 AM	#10
nForcer Twice the fun! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,404 Rep Power: 0	I'm glad the new Ipod Video's finally support 480p output! 320x240 is a killer Lessens overall amount of storage but who cares! Even at full-res DVD, on a 30GB Ipod, thats still FIVE COMPLETE MOVIES! I STILL wish they'd allow custom categories. I like the way my MP3's are sorted on my server (by my own organization). If I could do that with an ipod, I'd praise it till the end of the world!

Oct 4, 2006, 03:43 AM	#11
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	I have a 5G Ipod, and what is this Itunes thing every one keeps doing about?