<p><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="115" alt="zune-versus-ipod-440" src="http://mobilitysite.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/zune-versus-ipod-440.jpg" width="240" align="right" border="0"/>Ok, so you can score an iPod 80gb player right now for $249.99 right? It has the same iPod name, the pop culture following, and is a proven winner right? Right. So, why in the hell would you spend $249.99 for a Microsoft Zune 2.0 with the same storage capacity, an unproven track record, and what many think was a poor marketing attempt. Well, there are some reasons why I personally think that the Zune 2.0 80gb could be better for you. With the help of some <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/03/zune-vs-ipod-specification-smackdown/" target="_blank">comparison tables over at Engadget</a>, we can see the specs side by side. Keep in mind that the Zune 2.0 is not even on sale yet, but specs are trickling in.</p> <p>OK, let's look at them side by side...</p> <ul> <li>The iPod Classic 80gb is .2 inches shorter and .1 inches thinner than the Zune 2. Winner: iPod Classic 80gb</li> <li>The iPod weighs more than the Zune 2.0. Winner: Who cares, it's negligible.</li> <li>WiFi: Zune 2.0 has WiFi the iPod doesn't. In fact, the Zune 2.0 can now sync wireless too! Winner: Zune 2.0 Big Time</li> <li>Battery life: 20 hours versus 30 hours... Winner: iPod with 30 hours... Big Number, but the Zune will charge fully faster... hehe</li> <li>File types: I could list them all, but there is only one I care about... MINE! Not Apples. DRM-Less! Winner: Zune 2.0</li> <li>Earbuds: I don't know what Microsoft considers "Premium", but I doubt they will upend my Ultimate Ears. Winner: I don't care.</li> <li>Colors : Zune 2.0 - Black, iPod Classic Black and Silver... Winner: iPod </li></ul> <p>Will wireless sync and drm-less music be enough to get current iPod owners to change over to an unproven company in this arena? I doubt it. Do you think Microsoft is expecting PMP domination with the Zune 2.0? No, I am sure they aren't... yet. I think they are waiting for Zune 4.7 to hit for that, eh? Little steps. It took quite a bit of time for Apple to saturate the market and get a lot of folks to put down their Sony Walkmans, it won't happen overnight.</p> <p>I am onboard for this, I love to see other companies compete. Competition breeds excellence. It also causes price changes too. If you recall back in the early 2000's, before the Dell Axim X5 was released, a typical Pocket PC was running between $500 and $800. After the release of the X5, prices began to become easier on the wallet for many of us.</p> <p>Who wins? Apple or Microsoft? We do, the consumers.</p><P><P><a href="http://mobilitysite.com/?p=7230">View Original Blog Post</a>
A really nice post! The full use of WiFi in this release is a real plus and I don’t know but if all changes in software in the zune and pc works how they should, the iPod has found a real competition in the zune.
It's own software, which is not as nice right now... BUT... BUT... BUT... I hear Zune 2 revamped desktop software IS way better than the old.
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My kids use iTunes with their iPods and I use the Zune software with my Zune 30GB. I wouldn't say that either of them are particularly friendly (the software) but I have used both and don't see that either of the desktop software suites is way better than the other. The Zune software integrates nicely, though, with the Marketplace. Not familiar with the online portion of the iPod.
I'm looking forward to see what improvements are coming on 11/12 or 11/13 with the Zune firmware and software. Should be interesting.
Once set up, though, the Zune is excellent. I haven't seen the video iPods as yet but, as was mentioned, the extra feature like FM radio and bigger screen push the Zune a bit above the iPod as far as I can tell.
Good Comparison - I wasn't aware of the WiFi cababilities. I just knew you could share songs with others wirelessly...That makes me want a zune.
Nice Post.
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I have to agree with you, We the consumers are the winners in the end. Because with every new producted hitting the market it seems like things keep getting more affordable as the years go by. I cant wait to get my hands on one of the Zune 80 Cause imo. They looks 10x better then the ipod.
i can,t agree with you,CodeBubba! "The Zune software integrates nicely, though, with the Marketplace. Not familiar with the online portion of the iPod."
what u said is very good, they have their features, for different people have diffirent tastes. someone prefers bigger screens, someone likes FM function, those are corelated to their own life, so i think both are good, still need improvement as soon as possible!
I really like the ipod (I have a classic 80gb). It does what I want, and itunes works flawless on my mac. But the zune 80 appeals to me as well. The only thing I'd like on the zune is a clock, alarm, sleep timer function. And mac support (I don't want to deal with bootcamp/parallels).
As for navigating the devices, the clickwheel is tiresome and annoying to use. It was cool back then, but now it's time to find something easier to use, as simple as it is. But I think the folks at Apple are sick of it as well. I want to try out the zune pad some time when I visit a store.
I love both the zune and the ipod. If I wasn't so dirt poor I'd have owned both by now.
i can,t agree with you,CodeBubba! "The Zune software integrates nicely, though, with the Marketplace. Not familiar with the online portion of the iPod."
what u said is very good, they have their features, for different people have diffirent tastes. someone prefers bigger screens, someone likes FM function, those are corelated to their own life, so i think both are good, still need improvement as soon as possible!
Hi Angel,
Not sure what you're disagreeing with here ... I think I only said that I felt the Zune might be slightly better.
I have a Zune 80, the screen is hard and VERY clear, the iPOD is not. The cound on the Zune is better too, as are the ear buds. All things being equal, the Zune is a nicer unit.
That said if you have 500 tunes ($1,000 worth) of iPOD formated songs, then you are hosed. You will use an iPOD forever. Since the iPOD ties you up to iTUNES they can charge what they want to a player, you cannot go anythere with out loosing your investment.
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