Yeah, I Like My Zune

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Zune Logo I was catching up on my reading and noticed that Tycho of Penny Arcade got a Zune and actually enjoyed it so I felt compelled to give my own thoughts. I got one as a present from Microsoft after the Bill Gates thing (though I did not get a laptop, so anyone who thinks I’m hoarding it afraid to mention it here on the blog is incorrect). I never gave into the iPod fervor. I’ve had MP3 players before, but none that play video, so the Zune was my first experience in that particular regard. And I can say with a straight face that I really like it.

I know that the wisest of the gadget bloggers didn’t really dig the Zune, but after taking it on a 7 hour car ride to Canada, the Zune and I had some moments. I ripped South Park episodes from DVD to the Zune and the process was easy, fairly quick, and provided me with hours of entertainment. The screen also seemed much bigger than I thought it would be. I had worried that these small screens would be annoying, but on the contrary, I found it to be quite good.

So all in all, I’m a convert to the Zune. I went in having no predisposition either way for the device and came away impressed. I have no idea how it stacks up to the iPod but it does everything I need it to and I like it.

[tags]Zune, Penny Arcade[/tags]

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  • http://dougr.net Doug

    Alright, I admit that I am experiencing total envy at this point. The Zune still sits in my Wishlist far after the Christmas morning deadline.
    D.

  • Mark Fuqua

    The Zune looks cool…but if you have ever used the Ipod’s interface, what with the touch sensitive wheel, I’d say someone who has never used an ipod is Zune’s main hope. I guess Apple has a patent on the touch sensitive wheel…I’ve never seen them anywhere else. It is hard to imagine how cool and intuitive that little wheel is until you rub your thumb over it a few times.

    I don’t own either, but bought a Nano for my daughter and I just have to say the Ipod interface is really well done.

    Good luck Zune.

  • http://www.red-omega.com/blog John

    I think Mark hit the main point right smack on the forehead. The Zune sucks (I’ve played with it in the store) primarily when compared to the iPod. I know that’s not the best place from which to evaluate something but then again, things are often compared to the market leader.

    From what I’ve read/experienced, most the Zune hating is in part because of the things we take for granted with the iPod (clean interface, lightweight, not brown ha ha, touch wheel, no clicking/moving parts aside of a button, etc)

    If I had to guess, I’d say many first time MP3 player owners with a Zune are perfectly happy with it, having nothing to compare it to. They’re probably also hoping to stumble upon another stranger with a Zune to see if the wifi squirt my music to some one else thing works :)

  • http://blog.digitalbackcountry.com Ryan Stewart

    @Doug – If I get another one I’ll hold a contest here and give it away. You’ll be the first person I email.

    @Mark and John – That’s probably the big thing, I have no iPod experience to compare the Zune to. For me it works, it’s good and I dig it. But they have to win all of those iPod owners over and it seems like they aren’t doing that. I think the marketshare that I’m a part of is pretty small.

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  • http://www.red-omega.com/blog John

    Ryan,

    Exactly. And yeah VEWY Small :) I’d love it if they did give apple a run for their money, not many do that and Apple (I think) gets a bit greedy when they hold too much share. Sad as that is.

  • http://dougr.net Doug

    Ryan – I’m down with that!

    The perception of iPod owners on Zune makes sense; not having owned an iPod, my current mp3 player is a Rio, the Zune looks awesome. Flat out though, does it sound good and is it easy to use? Does it integrate with my Xbox 360 media center and are there useful accessories available?
    My brother owns an iPod and has a Klipsch dock which is reeeeally nice! iPod is established. I like the point about Apple – greedy – but so is MS.
    So much to consider yet so low on my priority list, I just want a nice mp3 player.

  • jorrsbm

    Zune MP3 Player is the next gen iPod killer with Wi-Fi file sharing, FM radio, and oversized LCD display.

    http://www.rm-converter.net/rm_to_zune/

  • http://www.red-omega.com/blog John W

    I love comment spam

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