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Review: Zune 4 and 8 nearly the iPod's true rivals

updated 03:20 pm EST, Tue November 20, 2007

Zune 4 Review Article

Outside of those most eager to sign on to Microsoft's 1.0 vision of its own digital music player, most agree that the original Zune -- still on sale as the Zune 30 after a firmware update -- is something of a flop. The hard disk drive-based player is bulky, quick to run out of battery power, and its much-ballyhooed Wi-Fi sharing turned out to be largely useless. This adds an extra burden to the first flash-based Zunes: they not only have to compete against the iPod nano and other fierce competitors but also represent a genuine improvement to the Zune line as a whole. As it turns out, both the Zune 4 and Zune 8 come close enough to the iPod's design that Apple may feel pressure for the first time -- though not quite enough to cause sleepless nights in Cupertino. Click ahead for the full Zune 4/8 review.

 
Previous Comments

They got me

11/20, 03:41pm reply

When I saw the zunoriginals.net site I broke down and bought the Zune 8 in black.

I must say I do like it better than my iPod.

Unity Boy

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2007

0

Re: they got me

11/20, 03:52pm reply

Looks like the controls are in an odd place. What's better about it?

I guess it's a moot point for me as I don't use Windows, but I'm curious as to why you like it better.

hayesk

Professional Poster

Joined: Sep 1999

0

I saw some

11/20, 04:24pm reply

in the same place I've seen other Zunes...in a locked case at Wally World. I've yet to see one in the wild (although I wouldn't want to show one off either and let everyone know how retarded I was for wasting my money on it).

Mr. Strat

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2002

-1

Nice review

11/20, 04:48pm reply

Lots of helpful information in this review. Thanks for reminding me of the payoff to Universal because that does make this device less desirable to me. At least I've learned that I'm not missing anything when the local Microsoft fanboy starts spouting-off about it. This thing is definitely not aimed well at any Mac users.

JackWebb

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2007

0

Nearly

11/20, 05:13pm reply

So what a****** buys something that is "nearly" as good as something else? And what bigger a****** spends money on an iPod AND a Zune? One that is lying, that's who.

Doofuses.

robttwo

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2005

0

Apple may feel pressure

11/20, 06:53pm reply

"both the Zune 4 and Zune 8 come close enough to the iPod's design that Apple may feel pressure for the first time" Why would anyone buy something that kinda looks like a ipod for the same price as an actual ipod. This wont effect Apple one bit. Nice try though M$!

magicbumone

Junior Member

Joined: May 2007

0

loses on every point

11/20, 07:41pm reply

So, in the review the Zune basically loses to the iPod on every point. Even the features it has that the iPod doesn't, FM radio, wifi, are reviewed negatively in the review. How does this add up in any way to 'nearly an iPod'??????????

Just the usual Macnn click grabbing.

dscottbuch

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2000

0

Zune Stinks

11/20, 08:09pm reply

I hate to tell people, but there are plenty of other players where the hardware is better then the iPod. The iPod's strengths are 1) Apple's marketing, 2) Apple's tight integration of hardware and software, 3) third party peripherals, 4) integration with third party products (e.g. my car), and 5) Apple's essentially creating the market.

Microsoft's Zune is offering nothing original, and is not even the best non Apple alternative. Creative makes a kick a** Shuffle replacement that was recently reviewed in Mac Format magazine. Moreover, Creative doesn't just copy Apple. Furthermore, Archos makes nice alternatives to the iPod. None of these products, however, have the same depth of hardware and software integration or third party support.

Finally, go read the Microsoft Zune Blog. All the first generation people are pissed.

Terrin

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2006

0

Zune

11/20, 08:59pm reply

When they lowered the prices on the iPods it was a nail in the Zune coffin. Who wants a Zune when you can get an iPod for the same price, or even not much more?

The new Zunes are nice, but better than the ipod -no. Cheaper - also no.

And the rant - seriously fm radio? Come on. What is this 1984. Couldn't they make a deal with Sirius or XM? Now that would be a feature...

smashedbanana

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2005

0

iPod VS Whatever

11/20, 09:08pm reply

I am sick of hearing this is as good, iPod killer so long iPod.

Simple... by what you like, As a apple Mac user I truly have one choice if I choose to download music, because none of the other online stores work with out a lot of work. So all you windows users please don't complain you have many choices.

appleusr

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jul 2006

0

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