Ipod vs. Zune: Which one should I get?

[Cheeky]

I'm leaning towards the 80gb Zune, for the following reasons:

wifi sync
fm tuner
nice headphones included
screen size
compatible w/more formats
i will never be using itunes
partially touch screen

Already have an 80gb iPod classic, but thinking of exchanging it.

opinions?

[JoeyGee]

I don't have either, but from my understanding, no iTUNES, means no iPOD.

[final_t]

The wifi is for between zune's, not to your pc.
What formats do you want to use that the Zune supports but the iPod doesn't?
The fm tuner, like all of them on the players, is pretty low-rent.
What does the iPod not do for you that you want to switch? If you're after more features, Apple has a trade-in policy.

[Cheeky]

The wifi is for between zune's, not to your pc.
What formats do you want to use that the Zune supports but the iPod doesn't?
The fm tuner, like all of them on the players, is pretty low-rent.
What does the iPod not do for you that you want to switch? If you're after more features, Apple has a trade-in policy.

i like the fm tuner b/c i can listen to sirius at the gym, and @ home (to drown out my gf).

the Zune has wireless sync between the unit and the pc, in addition to zune to zune wireless syncing.

plus i like how you can orient the screen in landscape mode (great for viewing movies on the plane, etc.).

zune marketplace has unlimited downloads for $15 a month. not offered w/itunes

wma, wmv, files are ok w/zune, not with ipod

[leehljp]

I don't have either, but from my understanding, no iTUNES, means no iPOD.

Actually there is a misconception that comes from true statements such as this. iTunes does not MEAN "iTunes store" or purchase from them. Around 80% of iPod music comes from CD transfer or other download.

iTunes software is just the software to move it from the computer to the iPod.
The iPod will play: AAC (MP4 higher quality than MP3) AIFF, MP3, and WAV.
WMV and WMA are proprietary formats, not standard Open formats.


I am interested to see how this is going in light of the music industries slowly but finally - move to DRM free music.

I am also curious why so many many companies joined the music download over the past 4 years and stopped or went belly up. Why have music players not been as popular in the PC world? Are Maccies the only music lovers in mass around?

[ryanps]

It is my understanding that you don't need to have an Ipod to install Itunes on your computer. You can install Itunes and subscribe to the free podcasts (there are several that deal with woodworking) and watch them on your computer whether you own an Ipod or not. You can also import your CD collection and even buy music/movies if you want to. Again, with no Ipod though you can't go mobile with your content.

I just entered the modern age as my family got me both an Ipod and cell phone for Christmas. I never wanted either one. Now I am finding them both rather interesting.

Ryan

[guycox]

The wifi is for between zune's, not to your pc.
What formats do you want to use that the Zune supports but the iPod doesn't?
The fm tuner, like all of them on the players, is pretty low-rent.
What does the iPod not do for you that you want to switch? If you're after more features, Apple has a trade-in policy.

Bzzzt thanks for trying - but the latest update for Zune supports wifi synch between the Zune and PC (latptop) -- It may only work with in the enterprise mode -- a quick check of the doc update for V2 of the software should turn up the actual requirement.

There are a couple of H/W hacks on the net that add bluetooth to the Zune.. That feature would make the selection of the Zune over a iPod a lead pipe cinch. As far as I know there are no stick on bluetooth adapters like there are for the iPod -- . I love the new client (device) and host software. It's a real step up from version 1.x.

I've got a couple of pieces parts that should work with the Media Center/Vista Ultimate to snag off late night TV so that i can watch it on during my morning train ride. I also manually convert NormA, RoyU and DaveM every Sunday afternoon -- I'll add those to the automatic coversion when it's all up and running.

Get the Zune - don't be a Dork that wears white ear buds..

[jziegler]

I don't have either, but from my understanding, no iTUNES, means no iPOD.

Not true at all. LOML has an iPod, and we use J. River Media Center to sync the iPod. iTunes isn't great for classical music (the majority of her collection) Media Center is better, so we use it.

I'd keep the iPod. the Zune has always looked like a crappy copy cat product to me. Windows media player is junk.

The $15/month "unlimited" downloads sound good, but as soon as you stop paying the monthly fee, can you use any of those files? Usually not.

Also, isn't the Zune incompatable with MS's own PlaysForSure DRM, locking out most of the MS supported music stores? I read that when it first came out, but that may have changed.

Yes, I am a MS hater.

Jim

[Bruce Cohen]

Buy an iPod, as with the rest of Microsoft's stuff, it appears to really suck.

BTW, I'm a dyed in the wool mac freak.

Bruce

[gslyons]

Know iPod, no iTunes...

FWIW, I've got my 30GB iPod video stuffed to the gills and its never seen iTunes. The music library on my PC is made up of all of my CDs as well as live shows from archive.org and live recordings of my band. I use an application called Amarok (on Linux) to organize the collection, and handle xfers to the 'pod.

I resisted the iPod for years as I had a lot of music in OGG format which the iPod won't play out-of-the-box. LOML got me this for xmas a few years back, and its just a really well designed, elegant device.

~g

[DaveS]

We have a bunch of these things at work.

What do you plan to do with it most?

Just listen to music?

How much video will you watch? Where do you plan to get the video?

[germdoc]

I have an iPod shuffle that is just right for working out at the gym or running. Of course I can't watch video...it will hold about 240 songs.

I recently got my daughter a reconditioned 4-GB iPod nano for $79 (available on Apple's website)--great buy, and since it's all RAM memory it's a lot more reliable than disk-based MP3 players.