Zune HD

[Medessec]

I'm getting a Zune HD in a few weeks and i'd like to ask, is anyone out there a fan of Zune? Or would be curious as to what Zune is, and maybe try it out?

Zune, for those who don't know, is Microsoft's response to the growing popularity of the device we know as the iPod. The first one(now called the Zune 30) was a tad bulky, but most of the newer models are light and fairly small, and have big screens compared to their iPod rivals. If you don't want an iPod, but don't want to get a lousy Sansa or Creativ mp3 or mp4 player, Zune's right there in between. There's only 2 models in production: the mighty Zune 120(120GB Zune for serious movie and music people) and the Zune HD, the touchscreen Zune to rival the iPod touch.

Also anyone who is getting an iPod soon or likes iPods can reply too. Thanks!

[mattbiernat]

Zune HD would be something I would buy if I actually used a large side media player. I have a 30gb ipod and 99% of the time I use it as a portable hard drive. the only i pod i used to use was shuffle and that was for running my daily 2 miles, recenetly it broke it with a 500 ml coke. i would buy Zune if it had an equivalent of a shuffle and if I wasn't forced to use windows media player. my next media player however will be Sony 1gb USB walkman.

[emeraldgirl08]

I use my touchscreen PDA to listen to music, use it's WIFI, as a Flash Drive, watch Videos,and to pass the time by. I can add programs that let me read books, use it for a medical reference guide, a graphical calculator, IM programs, different web browsers, etc.

It's not very big and fits in my pocket. It's got a nice 480X640 VGA screen that let's me use it in either landscape or portrait mode so it's eye-pleasing. It's got Infrared Beaming ability and Bluetooth also. So basically it's a pocket computer.

I'm hanging on to this as long as it'll last

[mattbiernat]

Axim is huge compared to ipod. I bought the top model too Axim X51V but the battery hatch kept on falling out, it seems like it was a well known problem that Dell never solved. I have sold it at a loss. I wanted to have a PDA as a ipod replacement for a long time, the trouble is that none of them are built solidly and all of them are very very expansive. I have completely gave up on those devices, I am hoping that some decent company will come up with a thinkpad shock proof and quality like PDA in the near future, as I might need one in a year or so.

[emeraldgirl08]

Sorry to hear about your axim troubles.

It seems huge compared to the IPOD but I like the versatility of using CF and SDHC. I have an old Sansa 1GB player that has an MicroSD card slot. It's the size of a pack of gum and has a necklace-type loop on it. I find myself using that whenever I am working on some kind of outdoors project. My Axim doesn't have a problem with the door falling out. I don't think it's very expensive. It depends on where you go to find one. As for solidly built lol my sis just throws hers in her purse, she's dropped it a couple of times, and it still works! Her screen protector is practically hanging on for dear life and it refuses to quit! She'll finally change it when it's already curled up and has a bunch of grit on the sticky side. My own is taken well care of and I just don't see any reason just yet to switch to anything else.

As for Thinkpad quality stuff. I can't get enough of that. I'm thinking of an X-series laptop next

[Medessec]

I've always wanted to get something like that, a "Pocket PC" that could do it all, but I just don't have the money. So I'm stuck with a laptop for work on the go and a Zune 30 for music on the go.

I could never buy an Axim; but I haven't looked at them lately.

The Zune HD is pretty small compared to iPods and PocketPCs. It's comparable to even the latest iPod nano. How big are Axim devices?

[emeraldgirl08]

It's about 4X6 inches and 1/2 thick.

If you're looking for something the size of a credit card then this isn't for you. I think you should stick with the Zune. Can you change the battery on a Zune??? Or do you have to take the thing apart to do it??? And does that void the warranty? Can you change it's memory over the course of it's lifetime? These are the things that are pretty much keeping me with my PDA. Like the IPOD I can hook mine up to an external screen also b/c of the x51v's dedicated video card.

I'm not saying the x51v doesn't have it's faults but if you ever have the opportunity to get one for cheap. I'd pick one up. I paid $100 for mine that came with a GPS receiver, 8gb SDHC, 8gb CF, Bluetooth keyboard, a case, and extra styli.

[Medessec]

That's really good. Yeah, the Zune lacks the wonderful ability to make critical pieces of hardware be easily interchangeable... but then again the hardware and software don't really matter all that much, as long as you have a computer with music, the Zune Software and a connector, the Zune HD is perfectly usable. It doesn't matter how old it gets. Plus, it uses flash memory(well, the Zune HD does) so it consumes far less power and the battery life is increased and the battery can hold a charge for years and years to come. I wish I could say the same for the Zune 120, which uses a much bigger battery and Hard Disk Drive.

There's usually services that allow the battery to be changed after it begins refusing to hold a charge, but not too many iPod or Zune owners have come to that. My Zune 30 from 2006 still holds a full charge.

But yeah I guess it's all about long-term usability. The Zune depends on another computer to sync to and get it's data to be used with from, but the Axim seems to be (mostly) a completely independent device capable of retrieving it's own data to use.(Although, I'm sure you do sync music and videos to it) in that case the device's hardware does matter, and it fortunately gives that back to you by making it's hardware interchangeable, repairable, able to be improved. I like those kind of devices.

[mattbiernat]

i am hoping that in a years time Zune HD will evolve into the following:
1. less clicky buttons (which im pretty sure it does have and i can't stand those)
2. capable of hosting USB connection
3. capable of connecting to internet
4. capable of connecting to external keyboard
5. capable of connecting to internet

[Toine]

Had an old ZUNE and I loved it. 30GB was plenty. The price was awesome, new on the internet.
I hate the whole Itunes crap on your computer, and the Zune Programme was fine. Simpel and fast.

I had no need for the player anymore, so I sold it. But I loved it for the radio, simpel operation and the fact that you are not another ipod robot.

[mattbiernat]

and the fact that you are not another ipod robot.

exactly, and that's what draws me into Zune too. besides the fact i got really disappointed on apple after they sold me a faulty product and refused to fix it.

[Toine]

That's why I bought an Dell Adamo.......I know it's kind of gurly, but It's an beautifull machine and NOT an apple...

[mattbiernat]

is it thinner than macbook air?

[Toine]

Yes, it's thinner than the macbook air. And awesome!

[mattbiernat]

so did anyone in here managed to get a ZUNE, i am curious how is the external built quality? is the hold button still clicky like it was in the the previous version?

[Medessec]

The Zune 30 is where everyone gets the clicky button issue. It's fine on the newer versions, such as the Zune 80, 120 and the Zune 4, 8, and 16.

For those who wish to try Zune out but don't have a lot of money, Getting a Zune 4, 8, or 16 is a good option. You can find a Zune 8 in the $50 range on ebay, and they're nice and small.

I have iTunes 9 installed alongside Zune 4.0 to organize my music, although the Zune Software is dominant taking all the .mp3 and .wma music file affiliations(double clicking such a file will open Zune, not iTunes) and it's not a problem. I use Zune most of the time, but I use iTunes to download and manage my Podcasts, which Zune sees and throws right into it's library automatically. iTunes 9 is a huge improvement over iTunes 8 and isn't that bad, I must admit. Although, Zune is significantly faster. iTunes struggles to play 1080p vids, while Zune plays them with little hassle. And! If you try to sync a 1080p vid into an iPod, iTunes will simply turn it away, saying, "nope, too big, this iPod only supports up to so and so resolution." If you drag a 1080p vid in Zune to a Zune device, of course Zune devices don't support 1080p res files either, but Zune downsizes it(converts it) into a file that the device can play.

Zune has, and is, in my mind, the best. Just can't wait to get a Zune HD. But a Zune 30 does just fine, 30GB is a lot of space! And I don't care much for the clickiness.

[SaberX]

I'm thinking of getting a MP3 player like the Ipod Touch.
I would love to get a Zune HD.Had a older 30gig Zune and it was great.I liked it better then the ipod 30 gig i had.
But where I'm in Canada , Microsoft is not releasing the Zune HD up here just yet.From what i can find out threes no date for it coming to Canada.It will some day.But I'm looking to pick something up soon.

[Medessec]

Ah. That can be a problem if you want a Zune HD.

I don't think Microsoft plans to release the Zune HD in Canada despite their profits...

I suppose the only way to get a Zune HD from where you are is with an online shopping service such as Amazon or even ebay, which in some cases can actually be cheaper.

iPods can be a bit more of a convenience then for you... but then you wouldn't stand out, right?