iPod vs Zune

monkey0506 · Mon 11/12/2006 00:27:12

Okay, okay, so the interweb probably isn't the best place to ask for people's opinions, but I'm doing so anyway.

I've wanted an iPod for a while but haven't had the funds to get one. For Christmas it looks like I might be able to scrounge together enough to get one, but they've come out with this Zune.

According to this comparison chart the only important differences are that Zune has a larger screen and comes virus-free. According to Apple's website all the iPods with the virus have been taken care of, which according to the interweb is fairly easy to remove anyway. Oh also Zune has an FM tuner.

Because iPod has been out longer I'm more accustomed to it, but I was just curious if anyone else had any thoughts on either system.

Thanks!

LGM · Mon 11/12/2006 01:08:59

I'd say read some reviews and comparison charts that AREN'T on the ZUNE website. That may be a bit bias right there. I'd go with Zune, though, if I were making the purchase. They just look cooler.

Plus I'm not a big fan of Itunes.

evenwolf · Mon 11/12/2006 01:30:30

I'm just concerned that it took Microsoft five years to develop this thing. It's hardly their business anymore. But on the contrary, they swooped in with XBox and currently have the strongest consoles on the market (if you consider # of publishers and games). And yet on the contrary again! microsoft swooped in while Nintendo and Playstation were contending. No one is contending with Ipod...

What sort of interface does the Zooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon have? Is it as fun as the wheel? Because what I love about Ipod is that I can change tracks and adjust volume while its in my pocket, without having to look at the thing.

Evil · Mon 11/12/2006 03:04:11

I'm in the same delima. Zune has a radio tuner and fileshareing with not only a PC (any filetype can be saved, like a big usb drive) but also with other Zunes. But, in comparison to the iPod, the Zune's extensions/additions are a TON more. Like a radio tuner is twice as much as an iPods.

monkey0506 · Mon 11/12/2006 04:29:06

Quote from: Evil on Mon 11/12/2006 03:04:11Like a radio tuner is twice as much as an iPods.

I'm sorry but I have no idea what the hell you're saying with this statement.

Personally I like iTunes. The fact that the Zune has an FM tuner is a plus...but wouldn't take away from an iPod.

I actually couldn't get this guy's Zune to turn on in GameStop today (he let me look at his because he was telling me that they sell them there) and I was too embarassed to say "Okay how the hell do you turn it on." Partially because he was busy with customers...but also because these things are supposed to be intuitive to use. I pushed every button on the thing but got no response. Turning HOLD off made no difference

But I'm sure that if I actually bought one I could get it to turn on. Either that or I'd take it back and get the iPod. But I'll probably put off the actual decision making until I have the money. I just figured that perhaps I could get some more information beforehand.

DGMacphee · Mon 11/12/2006 04:55:00

iPods are pieces of shit and Zune sounds like a piece of shit. Screw everyone who didn't buy an iRiver.

Evil · Mon 11/12/2006 05:01:30

Quote from: monkey_05_06 on Mon 11/12/2006 04:29:06
Quote from: Evil on Mon 11/12/2006 03:04:11Like a radio tuner is twice as much as an iPods.
I'm sorry but I have no idea what the hell you're saying with this statement.

Something you plug into your mp3 device so you can listen through your stereo's radio, like in your car. Guess I wasn't so clear.

Gregjazz · Mon 11/12/2006 05:44:15

Wait, wait, hold a sec. Keep in mind a few things.

You CAN share songs through the Zune to Zune, but you only get to play the song 3 times before it expires. Also, the Zune won't play any MP3s purchased through iTunes.

Seems like the Zune is pretty exclusive with the songs it will play. I dunno, I would personally say to check out the Creative Zen...

EDIT: The new Zen NEEON 2 can do music, FM radio, videos, etc. Flash memory, so it's super fast. The Zen Vision:M is also really cool, and it has more space if you need it.

LGM · Mon 11/12/2006 05:53:59

I have a Zen Vision: M. It is nice. It plays DivX videos and all MP3s... I recommend it.

Janik · Mon 11/12/2006 06:40:43

I would say neither but that's probably because I don't want my mp3 player to also play movies/display pictures/all that other stuff.

I got a Creative Zen Nano plus, it's cheap, really small, and fun to use.

monkey0506 · Mon 11/12/2006 06:42:28

Well I'm not so retarded as to not know how to get rid of MP3 protection...

As for plugging an MP3 player into your car...you definitely don't need any type of "special" adapter. They have the cassette adapters that they have been selling for CD players for years that plug into headphone jacks that would work. And the FM-broadcasting units that you can pick up for about $10. So I'm not exactly sure why one would be more expensive than the other...

Anyway the Zune-to-Zune sharing wasn't really that big of a deal for me (at least ATM) because I don't know anyone that has a Zune. I'm still considering my options though.

dasjoe · Mon 11/12/2006 07:30:31

i would recommend neither an ipod nor a zune, they're ugly ;)

i'm using a sony nw-hd5, which i would only get again if it didn't come with (and required) that silly software. but it's got an exchangable battery, that's why i got it :P

if i'd buy a mp3-player right now i'd probably buy a cowon m3, m5 or an x5

monkey0506 · Mon 11/12/2006 08:09:10

Quote from: DGMacphee on Mon 11/12/2006 04:55:00
iPods are pieces of shit and Zune sounds like a piece of shit. Screw everyone who didn't buy an iRiver.

Only goes up to 4GB? Only compatible with Windows XP? Yech...

The Cowons look nice but they're also more expensive (not a lot...but...it does make a difference).

InCreator · Mon 11/12/2006 12:29:48

What's all that american craze around iPods?
I never understood it. My own random-brand MP3 player cost me only $20 and 1 GB is absolutely enough for music. If you have 30GB of songs, it's very unlikely that you'll be listening even a percent of them. With iPod, as I understand, you have first to be sick enough to legally own all that music.

For video players, there's much cheaper and finer things, and 2,5" screen isn't much for a movie experience anyway.

Crazy stupid consumers.

veryweirdguy · Mon 11/12/2006 12:35:22

I've had a 20gb iPod for a year now and have had absolutely no problems with it. Although it is now full, but that's more my fault than that of the 'pod - most people won't fill theirs to capacity.

DGMacphee · Mon 11/12/2006 13:57:51

Quote from: monkey_05_06 on Mon 11/12/2006 08:09:10
Quote from: DGMacphee on Mon 11/12/2006 04:55:00
iPods are pieces of shit and Zune sounds like a piece of shit. Screw everyone who didn't buy an iRiver.

Only goes up to 4GB? Only compatible with Windows XP? Yech...

The Cowons look nice but they're also more expensive (not a lot...but...it does make a difference).

Yeah, they only go up to 4GB now because hardly anyone bought the 20GB and 40GB H300 models that could do all sorts of fancy shit. Everyone was sucked into Apple's bullshit over-marketed boutique MP3 players that they didn't see its lack of advantages.

Plus, with iRiver you could change the firmware to an easier-to-update open source firmware called RockBox which could make your iRiver do MORE fancy shit. But since iRiver reported major losses in 2005, they cut back on development of portable jukeboxes and focused on compact media players (which are shit in my opinion), which is why I said, "Screw everyone who didn't buy an iRiver." Thanks, you ruined the development of a great MP3 player.

The best thing is you can also use your iRiver as an external hard disk without needing extra software. iPods and Zunes can do shit. I have an old 10Gb iRiver that doubles as both a music player plus storage for all my work files. It's fucking brilliant. Plus it has RockBox installed which means I can play Gameboy games, Sudoku, read e-books, write notes, etc, etc. I'm even writing a novel on it in my spare time.

For more info, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iriver#Discontinued_Players

LGM · Mon 11/12/2006 16:23:09

I wish they had RockBox for Zen players...

Sam. · Mon 11/12/2006 17:13:12

What is so special about rockbox? The iPod interface is much better, if less flashy, than the Zune. Apple's customer service is impeccable, I know this having had to use it recently (for a problem that was MY fault, not the iPods). I have had three iPods now, and I have never had a probelm with them of battery life or usabilty, my reasons for buying new ones were my own stupidity in breaking them, or the capacity wasnt enough. iPods are cheap now, the software is intuitive, although the PC end stuff is a bit clunky. I have never use a Zune but the only iPod beating features I can see are gimmicky crap. If the iRivers are so great, then a bit of publicity by Apple couldn't have stopped their production, since with apple were new to the mp3 player market with the iPod. iPods are just more user friendly than any other mp3 player around. They work, and they work well.

Paper Carnival · Mon 11/12/2006 17:48:49

I hope I'm not getting too off-topic, but I need help on purchasing an mp3 player. Starting new thread would probably be unnecessary.

I currently have a SanDisk sansa m240 1GB and I'm totally happy about the way it works. See, I really don't need a super robot, I just need an mp3 player that can play my songs decently, with a simple menu and a good battery life (up to 19 hours, works with AAA batteries). It's also fairly small, something almost essential for me as I need to carry it around in my small pocket.

The problem is that 1 GB is way too little for me and that the mp3 players I find that have a lot of space (I think around 30 GB will be good) have also too many features that I don't need and which add to the price.

So I was wondering, can anyone suggest a cheap (but good, if you only want to listen to your songs) mp3 player, preferably small in size (I need it that way) with a lot of space?

RickJ · Mon 11/12/2006 17:53:55

DG, after all these years a topuc has finally come up on which we agree.

Don't by either one, or any DRM'd device. DRM is the work of the devil.... Mahawahahaha.....