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Zune or iPod
DHS Odium
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Okay, first things first, this isn't the place for fanboyism or shit-talking. This isn't a traditional Zune vs. iPod debate, I'm in a unique position so I'd like you to weigh my circumstances, and hopefully provide me with good responses.
Here's the deal:
I already own a 5th gen black iPod video, 30gb. Before I got this I had a 4th gen 20gb iPod, and wanted something with more features, like pictures and video. I was weighing my options between a Zune or an iPod, but I got a stroke of good luck when a nearby Apple Store was remodeling and selling their floor models for cheap. So I got an iPod for $130, with the year warranty included. It was in decent enough condition, and I went over it with brasso to make it look even nicer.
Now, I just found out I won a contest at work and I will be getting a Zune. So my dilemma is which one should I keep, and which should I sell? I have briefly used a friend's Zune, and I like the weight and style of the player, I'm not sure which color I'm getting yet (my preferred order would be brown, then black, and least favorite being white). The interface seemed pretty slick to me. Both players have the same size and play movies, though i understand the Zune's screen is a little better. I haven't used the circular dpad scrollling much, I like the wheel on the iPod enough, but sometimes it pisses me off when I need to move up or down on a list by one one or two.
Also, some other stuff relevant to my decision. I could go into the gray area and "return" the new Zune to walmart, or be fair and sell either one on craigslist. I could probably get about the same cash for either, since my used iPod comes with a nice hard plastic case. Either way I'm in good stance considering the Zune is free, and the iPod was $130, which I know I could get more for. I imagine the iPod would be easier to sell as well, due to brand name.
Other things to consider, I have three computers, a desktop with Ubuntu, a laptop with Vista Ultimate, and an iBook, so compatibility isn't an issue. Also, all my songs have been ripped to mp3, so I shouldn't need to worry about converting or having issues in this regard. Also, I do not purchase music from the iTunes store, and I won't from the Zune Marketplace, so that doesn't matter to my decision. I have used iTunes, but not the Zune software. Does anyone have any preference or insight to this? Are there other players and programs to load music onto the Zune besides the official stuff, and are they available for Linux or MacOSX as well?
One other thing to consider, I have a Vista Ultimate machine, and an Xbox 360, so if I stick with the Zune, I'll have the trifecta of Microsoft media products, How well does everything work with one another, could this be a possible reason to choose the Zune over the iPod.
And lastly, what's the future like? I know Apple will keep pumping out better iPod, and Microsoft made mention to Zune games. Would that be something to consider, how about the wireless feature, will there actually be firmware updates to allow me to sync this wirelessly, or wirelessly play mmusic from the Zune on my 360? What about 3rd party hacks or software, anything that won't ruin the machine and make it do neat stuff?
This has been a little longer than I originally meant to type.
To summarize:
I own a 30gb iPod Video, I got it for cheap ($130). I just won a free Zune. Which should I keep, and which should I sell? I'm really in the middle of this, and unsure. For extra hardware I have that may sway the decision, I have a Linux box, and iBook, and a Vista Ultimate laptop, as well as a 360. Things to consider are the software, features, and the future for the devices.
Thanks to anyone who can help me with this.
Here's the deal:
I already own a 5th gen black iPod video, 30gb. Before I got this I had a 4th gen 20gb iPod, and wanted something with more features, like pictures and video. I was weighing my options between a Zune or an iPod, but I got a stroke of good luck when a nearby Apple Store was remodeling and selling their floor models for cheap. So I got an iPod for $130, with the year warranty included. It was in decent enough condition, and I went over it with brasso to make it look even nicer.
Now, I just found out I won a contest at work and I will be getting a Zune. So my dilemma is which one should I keep, and which should I sell? I have briefly used a friend's Zune, and I like the weight and style of the player, I'm not sure which color I'm getting yet (my preferred order would be brown, then black, and least favorite being white). The interface seemed pretty slick to me. Both players have the same size and play movies, though i understand the Zune's screen is a little better. I haven't used the circular dpad scrollling much, I like the wheel on the iPod enough, but sometimes it pisses me off when I need to move up or down on a list by one one or two.
Also, some other stuff relevant to my decision. I could go into the gray area and "return" the new Zune to walmart, or be fair and sell either one on craigslist. I could probably get about the same cash for either, since my used iPod comes with a nice hard plastic case. Either way I'm in good stance considering the Zune is free, and the iPod was $130, which I know I could get more for. I imagine the iPod would be easier to sell as well, due to brand name.
Other things to consider, I have three computers, a desktop with Ubuntu, a laptop with Vista Ultimate, and an iBook, so compatibility isn't an issue. Also, all my songs have been ripped to mp3, so I shouldn't need to worry about converting or having issues in this regard. Also, I do not purchase music from the iTunes store, and I won't from the Zune Marketplace, so that doesn't matter to my decision. I have used iTunes, but not the Zune software. Does anyone have any preference or insight to this? Are there other players and programs to load music onto the Zune besides the official stuff, and are they available for Linux or MacOSX as well?
One other thing to consider, I have a Vista Ultimate machine, and an Xbox 360, so if I stick with the Zune, I'll have the trifecta of Microsoft media products, How well does everything work with one another, could this be a possible reason to choose the Zune over the iPod.
And lastly, what's the future like? I know Apple will keep pumping out better iPod, and Microsoft made mention to Zune games. Would that be something to consider, how about the wireless feature, will there actually be firmware updates to allow me to sync this wirelessly, or wirelessly play mmusic from the Zune on my 360? What about 3rd party hacks or software, anything that won't ruin the machine and make it do neat stuff?
This has been a little longer than I originally meant to type.
To summarize:
I own a 30gb iPod Video, I got it for cheap ($130). I just won a free Zune. Which should I keep, and which should I sell? I'm really in the middle of this, and unsure. For extra hardware I have that may sway the decision, I have a Linux box, and iBook, and a Vista Ultimate laptop, as well as a 360. Things to consider are the software, features, and the future for the devices.
Thanks to anyone who can help me with this.
Wii U: DHS-Odium // Live: DHS Odium // PSN: DHSOdium // Steam: dhsykes // 3DS: 0318-6615-5294
DHS Odium on
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Everyone has a goddamn iPod. Be different.
And, I'm assuming the music playback quality is the same, is the video playback on either one good enough to tip the scales?
Or you could not care what everyone else has and go for what you think is best.
After much deliberation, I've decided to go back to iPods. I'll be getting an 80gb one either tonight or tomorrow.
I just don't see any reason not to get an ipod, to be honest.
The only problem I could see with a Zune, is I've heard the software is rubbish. But of course, this can be fixed.
That said, you can tell the Zune software is ver 1.0. It's not bad, but there are little annoyances that I'm sure will be addressed soon.
Well, I won't be using music with DRM, as I rip my own CDs and won't be buying from either store.
Supposedly 3rd quarter of 2007 = new iPod line up.
Live a little. Open it up, use it for a few weeks and see if you like it. Then sell the one you like the least. It isn't rocket science.
Makes more sense than surveying the internet.
(Aside - I made a thinp3 player thread a while back for a small mp3 player - and settled of a refurbished 1st gen nano - thanks G&T it's pretty great)
Scholar and a Gentleman? Critical of bad science and religion? Skeptobot - Is for you!!
This sentance(s) makes no sense*. But if the Zune does drm everything you put on it. Sell it.
* which is something I do all the time.
Scholar and a Gentleman? Critical of bad science and religion? Skeptobot - Is for you!!
yeah thats one of the major pissoffs abot the zune it drms everything because theyres a chance youll do the music sharing thing and if it were undrmed files you could steal music or something...
bullshit.
The iPods get better battery life, have a wider range of aftermarket products available, and come in the 80 GB flavour, which for the record has pretty much the most attractive $/MB ratio of any product on the market.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
And yet the iPod doesn't have the wireless feature AT ALL. No matter how gimped, having a feature is better than not having it.
But who has 80gb of music (and movies that they want to carry around at all times)? You're pretty much talking about supersizing your big mac meal, or doing all of your grocery shopping at sams club here... sure, it's better value for your money, but you're not going to fucking need to eat that much.
I'M A TWITTER SHITTER
Eh. Doesn't seem important to me at all.
not true the wirelss features on the zune are absolutely worthless. In this case there such a tease it would be better not to have them.
Exactly. It's a non-issue.
Also, for being the #1 music player on the market, and seen as a high class product, it really must be said: Fuck, the iPod is a finicky little bastard that hates being shut off, and freezes way more than such a simple gadget should.
I haven't played with the Zune at all, and I own an iPod myself, and like it enough.. but still, if you're getting the Zune for free, why not give it a try?
I'M A TWITTER SHITTER
No. Because if they dropped the retarded feature they could have cut the price.
猿も木から落ちる
No. Only the ipod nano is flash. The rest use hard drives.
Zing!
Also you're a bloody moron. Now while I do thing Creative has never made a single thing worth buying, dismissing out of hand the industry dominator and the Microsoft contender is what makes you a bloody moron. You backing a stupid horse is just gravy.
猿も木から落ちる
That wasn't very nice of me.
I'm sorry. But, if you'd like to enter a dark horse candidate, you really should back up your opinion with a solid argument.
猿も木から落ちる
This seems to make the decision for you.
Your writing makes my eyes bleed.
i left it in my pocket and it went through the wash
thank god for warranties ^_^
I tried to help.
On the topic at hand, I have experience with both the iPod and the Zune, and I feel that if you are more into movies and pictures, the Zune is a better idea.
But on topic, I don't see why you would go with the zune over lets say this http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=15752
Which has a bigger screen then the Zune, and doesn't require you to download any special type of software.
just saying
And while I probably will open the Zune and play with it, I'd like to have it sealed and brand new if I decide to part with it, because it's worth more. I will be selling one of these two mp3 players. I have a friend with a Zune, so I'm going to try fondling that for awhile.
Also, about the DRM, I'm fairly sure the Zune does NOT drm everything you put on it, only whatever you use the share feature with, like, the zune itself will drm a file when you transfer it to another Zune.
For the Zune software, I'm interested in what other alternatives there are, there has got to be some way to drag and drop through software, like I can do with the iPod, I hate the idea of an auto-sync. Or did I misunderstand how you can put music on the Zune?
I was going to download the Zune software to play around with it, but it said the site was down for maintenance.
At least thats the rumor.
Well then. That shows me.
I'M A TWITTER SHITTER
I'm sure that if you opened the Zune through My Computer, you should be able to directly drag and drop your music. Couldn't tell you, though. Didn't try it.