I’m considering purchasing a new mp3 player and I think I have narrowed it down to the Zune or the Nano. I like that the Zune has a FM tuner, but there are so many more accessories available for the ipod. I also like the wireless sync of the Zune. Anyone with either of these care to provide some insight? Any issues that I should know about?
iTunes is horrible. iPods are horrible. However, they have the Zune beat. Microsoft’s software is a joke too, and I’ve heard the sync isn’t that great. Not sure…and FM transmitters are a complete joke and useless. If you don’t have an auxiliary input, you might as well forget using an MP3 player in the car. Honestly you could get a better MP3 player from some other option…the other brands use open software instead of coming with their own nazi software.
I got the old model Zune 30 for xmas, and ive used a bunch of different ipods.
If you want something to watch videos on, go with the Zune. If youre just gonna do music, id say go with the ipod.
I’m happy with my Zune, its great. I still have like 2/3 of the memory left with the 1st season of Heroes and The Office + the wake game, several music videos and the UFC fight between Chuck Liddell and Rampage Jackson. Picture quality is pretty good, some videos are clear(Heroes) while some are so bad you cant really tell whats going on(Charlotte vs Wake)
I’d recommend the Zune, but try and shop around for a deal. I got mine for $99 on Amazon
I got the Nano with video for Christmas. It is very nice, my previous MP3 player was about the size of my wallet, so the nano’s size is a very nice change. I doubt I will ever download TV shows or movies for it, the screen just isn’t big enough to watch for an extended period of time. But the games are a nice touch, it comes with a few pre-loaded, they are pretty fun. Of course it’s an iPod so you get the advantage of the great interface and the endless number of accessories.
I don’t have a Zune and haven’t ever used one, but I have no complaints about the nano and wouldn’t hesitate recommending it to anyone who is looking for an MP3 player with 4GB or 8GB of storage.
If you have all your CDs on your computer put in seperate playlists, nothing beats the iPod / iTunes set up.
I got an 80gb ipod classic and I’ve been pretty happy with it so far. There were some firmware bugs early on but most of those have been worked out with updates now. I bought it a month or two before the new Zunes came out so I didn’t have to decide between the two.
I like the larger screen on the Zune and the fact that it has wifi, but I have also heard bad things about the Zune software. FM tuner doesn’t mean much to me because there isn’t much worth listening to on FM anymore. Itunes is slow, and a memory hog, but it does copy music to the ipod easily (for me anyways) with no problems. I also like the smart playlist feature itunes offers which I don’t think Zune has.
If I was deciding today it would be a tough call, but I would probably still go ipod.
Here is a good comparison:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4370-11399_7-324-101.html
I recently got the 4gb Nano and the Nike+ accessory over the holidays. The Nano is impressively slick. They (apple) have the interface on most/all their devices down to a science to where its almost a pleasure to use whatever you are using. I use mine extensively when running and working out. I load up a portion of my library randomly with some specific playlists I’ve created, and I’m off. I can’t comment on the Zune, I never considered getting one.
I’m holding out for a 2nd device that will hold more of my complete library (I’ld really like to see a 30gb touch… but with the Solidstate harddrive costs currently, I don’t know if they will increase in size to that level).
I’ld never imagine trying to listen to the radio over an mp3 player, as that sorta defeats the purpose. No?
When/where/how will you be using it? something to use when working out? something to use in the car? something that will hold all of your music? how big is your music library? are you looking to watch movies/videos on it (say on plans or trips)? all of these will help determine what size device you’ll need.
As far as the software goes, I’ve never had an issue with itunes. While it is a bit of a memory hog, I really only have it up when adjusting playlists, listening to music on my comptuer, or syncing my nano. There are other programs that will also house/sync your library with various devices around if you do a little net searching.
Got my 30gb zune for $90, Zune wins…
If you are cost conscious and want something to work out of the box, I would go with the Nano. Especially if you use ITunes.
If you want video and an FM tuner (especially video recording), I would advise looking at a Pharos.
Personally, though, I’m still using a 20GB Sony NW-HD1 upgraded to play mp3’s. It is the best pure music player I’ve ever tried (if you don’t want an FM tuner or video). But I’ve been using my Nokia n95 as an all purpose device, too.
I really am not moved one way or the other by Zune. Too many competitors on the market, and it just doesn’t stand out.
...and the UFC fight between Chuck Liddell and Rampage Jackson....
yeah… all 30 seconds of it. What a waste of $50.
I have an 80 GB Zune. I love it. Looks better, sounds better, I think it’s higher quality. I work at Circuit City, selling PCs and MP3 players. I always recommend Zune, I think it’s just a better system.
my understanding is that the zune will be able to somehow pick up TV? any confirmation?
No, the best mp3 player is the Insignia. Easy Uploading, FM Radio, Videos, Pictures, Recordings. Its what you need.
can you play itunes files on the zune?
I have an old ipod mini, about 2.5 years old. The battery now lasts just long enough to turn it on. I can either buy a new battery or spend some more and just get something that looks like it was bought this decade (yes i know its only 2.5 years old, but the mini has come a long way).
I love my Creative Zen M… its about 3 years old now and Creative has developed the Creative Zen which is even better. Be sure to check it out as you are researching players. iPods are cool, but iTunes sucks.
I love my Creative Zen M... its about 3 years old now and Creative has developed the Creative Zen which is even better. Be sure to check it out as you are researching players. iPods are cool, but iTunes sucks.can you play itunes files on it?
[QUOTE=ninerID;286337]can you play itunes files on it?[/QUOTE]
worst case scenario there is a program that strips audio files of their copyright protection. get that it is called tunebite.
I have an Ipod Mini and never had any issues with it whatsoever. My brother and mother both have Nanos and have never had any problems.
A good friend of mine had the zune, he didn’t like it and I know it gave him problems, but to what extent I don’t know, he may have been making it sound worse then it is.
Honestly, I don’t think there is a huge difference between any of them other than interface, size, and price. Do you want a screen to watch stuff, or just a music player? Is size an issue? Play with some in the store to go thru the interface of it and pick a couple you like and weigh the prices, etc. to choose.
I own a Mac, so Ipod is a natural choice for me and syncs and works amazingly. I don’t understand some people’s gripes on here with Itunes. It’s pretty straightforward and easy to use.
brother got an ipod mini last year for christmas… died 3 times within 2-3 months and we had to send it back over and over… they even sent a new one and it died.
after that, I’m definately saving my money for a zune…
brother got an ipod mini last year for christmas... died 3 times within 2-3 months and we had to send it back over and over... they even sent a new one and it died.after that, I’m definately saving my money for a zune…
Does he still have the mini? I’ve cracked a few open and fixed them before. Mini’s are notorious for having the mini drive fail. Easy fix since a compact flash card works (and is lighter).
Does he still have the mini? I've cracked a few open and fixed them before. Mini's are notorious for having the mini drive fail. Easy fix since a compact flash card works (and is lighter).
The third one they sent him finally worked and is working fine for him. Still its a lot of trouble to deal with - and if you crack the thing open your warantee is gone…