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September 16, 2009 10:55 AM PDT

Use the Zune HD with a Mac

by Jasmine France
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Who says you can't use the Zune HD with a Mac? Well, I did, for one...but contrary to popular belief I sometimes actually enjoy admitting when I'm wrong. As a Mac user with a penchant for non-iPod MP3 players, I often feel left out in the cold, especially when I see shiny new devices like the Zune HD. Sure, I could always use Boot Camp, but I prefer not to clutter up my pretty Mac with Windows XP, thankyouverymuch. Plus, dual booting isn't exactly a seamless experience.

That's where VMWare Fusion comes into play. At $80, the software is about the same price as Windows XP Home--not cheap--but it provides a super simple way to run apps and connect devices that are otherwise relegated to Windows machines. Plus, it integrates seamlessly into the Dock. Of course, I would prefer if Microsoft would just make the Zune HD and Marketplace Mac-compatible to begin with, but in the meantime, this will have to suffice. To see how VMWare Fusion works with the Zune, check out the video below.


Thanks, Nick!

For more than five years, Jasmine France has covered a variety of tech products for CNET--from scanners to keyboards to GPS devices--but she's happiest where she is now: sitting atop a pile of MP3 players, "testing" every music service known to man, and jamming a variety of earbuds in every shape and color into her absurdly small ears. E-mail Jasmine.
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MP3 players,

Zune HD,

Mac,

video,

how to

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) (41 Comments)
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by September 16, 2009 11:12 AM PDT
That's funny, I just came to this page to say to Jasmine, why not use Boot Camp. I listen to the MP3 Insider and hear you complain about some things that are Window only. And for some reason I kept forgetting Mac can run Windows. I was reminded by watching a Zune HD video on YouTube by SoldierKnowsBest.

-Former iPod touch owner, moving to Zune HD.
Reply to this comment
by Super2online September 16, 2009 11:55 AM PDT
It takes a strong person to admit publicly that they are making the move from iPod to Zune. Good for you! I hope you enjoy your Zune, I know we have enjoyed all of ours.
by markosph September 17, 2009 1:19 PM PDT
Dont you have to reboot your Mac to get into boot camp... with Vmware you can do it right there no rebooting. I have used Vmware Workstation to run Ubuntu, Mac OS (for testing purposes, I no longer use it) and Windows XP without rebooting, its far more convenient.
by cmsb1214 September 17, 2009 7:00 PM PDT
Ok so apparently you guys don't understand the point: People want the Zune to work with OS X natively, not just with a Mac. I think everyone knows that Macs can run Windows so it is not necessary for you to tell people that every time some big piece of software comes out that only runs on Windows.

You guys are supposedly journalists. Journalists report the news. Guess what the first three letters in 'news' are...
by markosph September 18, 2009 2:41 PM PDT
The fact of the matter is that Microsoft doesn't make zune for the Mac, the only alternative is boot camp or VMware/ virtual machine software. Microsoft probably thinks that all people who own Macs won't be interested in Zune.
by efalconer September 16, 2009 12:54 PM PDT
Don't forget that in addition to a copy of VMWare Fusion (or Parallels) you still need a valid license of XP, Vista or Windows 7 to run on top of that software. So the cost is still an additional $200 all-in. The nice thing is you can use Parallels or VMWare to run your bootcamp partition from within OS X, so you can have bootcamp when you need the extra speed, but if you just need to run a windows application quickly you can fire up one of the other apps.
Reply to this comment
by Jboggie619 September 16, 2009 9:32 PM PDT
Windows 7 RC... Thats Free
by haub123 September 17, 2009 12:57 PM PDT
@jboogie

unfortunately Windows 7 RC is not available for download anymore.
by JustAnotherStatistic September 17, 2009 7:53 PM PDT
@ haub123
You can still get a product key until October 21, 2009. Torrent the release candidate or newer ones and presto, you're done.
by HelpWanted- November 14, 2009 1:19 PM PST
@JustAnotherStatistic That's a good idea, but does the torrent download iso include the key? Because when I downloaded the RC from Microsoft, they gave me a key. So what's the point of a torrent iso with no key? And aren't the keys like 3 times use usable.
by UMaine19 September 16, 2009 2:04 PM PDT
I did this back with the first zune.. not really a huge secret
Reply to this comment
by Spiraling_Shape September 16, 2009 3:20 PM PDT
This headline is misleading, as it makes it sound like the Zune will work within Mac OSX itself. Yes, you can indeed use any Windows product when you install a copy of Windows. That's not exactly breaking news.
Reply to this comment
by CCCCnetttt September 17, 2009 4:47 PM PDT
This is just a little different in that both the Zune software and hardware have to work, not just software. VM is very good when it's just software but sometime peripherals are a bit tricky. So it is good to see the hardware is recognized and the DRM associated with the subscription and Movie rental work.
by Itsiliii September 16, 2009 3:47 PM PDT
dang they should just make it mac compatible, i really want a zune HD but dont wanna run bootcamp or parallels :p
Reply to this comment
by kewell82 September 17, 2009 10:42 AM PDT
Just buy a PC.
by rnaoncfixd September 17, 2009 11:36 AM PDT
I thought about that... but I'm waiting for Windows 7 to come to a netbook first.
by llxarmonxll September 16, 2009 4:12 PM PDT
just use virtualbox, it does the same thing as vmware but its free
Reply to this comment
by Itsiliii September 19, 2009 11:34 AM PDT
its so slow and wouldnt let me transfer my music to it though so it was a failure :p
by Rod Roddy September 16, 2009 4:21 PM PDT
3:10 to Yuma is not a great movie.
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by giverson516 September 16, 2009 8:25 PM PDT
Why didn't you just use VirtualBox? That's free.
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by Jboggie619 September 16, 2009 9:30 PM PDT
I love my Zune, its too bad that it is not mac compatible but at my job i get a free license for VM Fusion and im actually using the Windows 7 Release Candidate to use my zune on my macbook pro. Once you go zune pass its hard going back to the old model. Anyway when the rc license starts shutting off every 2hrs in june 2010 i wont mind being that i only really use the zune software to download and sync, and that doesn't take long. :) Win/Win for me.
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by September 17, 2009 5:44 AM PDT
Why would i bother to buy an expensive but that never have a problem Mac Book Pro and sullied it by putting Windows softwares on it and get all sorts of bugs and virus to have Zune HD 32 GB. at over $200.00 Dollars when for $50.00 dollars more i can get a I-Pod Classic 160 GB., really why bother !!! The I-Pod Classic is better, has more spaces and it's cheaper than the Zune. To me it doesn't make sense, think guys to get the same capability and space, I'd have to buy at least 5 Zunes HD to get the same...! So 1 I-Pod Classic or over $1000.00 for Zune HD !
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by September 17, 2009 9:25 AM PDT
That's like saying, why buy a Ferrari with two seats when you can get a mini van cheaper with eight.
by hellhound63 September 17, 2009 11:00 AM PDT
i like how apple fanboys use to compare the zune 80/120 to the ipod touch and now theyre comparing the zune hd to the classic....
by ywkhgqo September 17, 2009 11:54 AM PDT
you make the same arguement for the ipod touch.

but does the ipod classic have radio, wifi, subscription music (and normal model), and the great zune software?
nope...
and thats just comparing it to the zune 80's and 120's
by skatemusiclife64 September 19, 2009 2:37 PM PDT
@hellhound this guy is just retarded- nothing to do with being an apple fanboy.
by Heathie89 September 17, 2009 11:11 AM PDT
This is exactly what I've had to do in order to use my ex players the Zune 80 and Creative Zen Vision:M. I've pretty much used all the different methods: Boot Camp, Parallels Desktop, and VirtualBox (which is free). So I think it just comes down to personal preference but they all get the job done. Remember to format the partition to FAT32 if you plan on using Boot Camp this way file sharing is enabled!
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by DMBoricua September 17, 2009 12:33 PM PDT
LOL, I went to this article thinking that there really would now be software for the Mac that the Zune HD could work, but alas, to my surprise thats not the case. Instead, run virtualization software to run Windows within the Mac or use Bootcamp to boot to Windows using your Mac! LOL.
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by Heathie89 September 17, 2009 2:52 PM PDT
I don't see using virtualization software as a problem. :)
by Itsiliii September 19, 2009 11:35 AM PDT
oh its kind of a problem, well atleast to me haha
by markdoiron September 17, 2009 1:51 PM PDT
Nice review of the new Zune software. i would emphasize that the Smart DJ chooses music from the entire MS subscription service library, which makes it very powerful and useful for music discovery. And, this feature works with all models of Zune, not just the HD. Smart DJ wirelessly updates my Zune 30 in my living room, and every five days it changes those playlists automatically. It didn't cost me a dime for the software update, and it rocks! --mark d.
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by AppleSuxLeo September 17, 2009 4:59 PM PDT
The Zune Pass unlimited music streaming DOES work on AY OS or browser....you don`t need to virtualize or dual-boot.
Source: Zune Insider 37 podcast. Again , Cnet is behind the curve and not well informed.
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by C433Z September 17, 2009 10:00 PM PDT
XP?! Jasmine, you should definitely give the Win7 RC a try!
Reply to this comment
by aussiebrydon September 17, 2009 10:27 PM PDT
Actually - Windows 7 Home Premium is only $30 if you're a student

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10355710-56.html
Reply to this comment
by Spiraling_Shape September 17, 2009 11:03 PM PDT
That's for an upgrade. If you have a Mac you'll need the full version.
by kangotang September 19, 2009 8:07 AM PDT
Unless MS has changed something, you should be able to do a clean install with an upgrade disc - I used an upgrade disc to install vista on my macbook. Technically your license isn't legal if you don't own a previous version of windows, but it works. Someone please correct me if this has changed.
by AppleSuxLeo September 19, 2009 5:46 AM PDT
As popular as Zune HD has turned out to be , I can see MSFT rleeasing a Mac client soon.
Reply to this comment
by Itsiliii September 19, 2009 11:36 AM PDT
AHHH i hope so
*keeps fingers crossed*
by Gadget70 September 20, 2009 1:09 AM PDT
The zune seems like a great product. The problem is most of us use iTunes because we know our way around and it works. Also our iPods all work seemlessly with it. Unless Apple plays nice and lets the zune into iTunes, it's game over. And by the way, Apple doesn't play nice. Maybe that's why they are so successful at what they do. If I were them, I wouldn't play nice either. It's probably in our heads, or Apple are just brilliant marketers, but the Apple ecosystem just seems more elegant, easier to use, and everything just works. Maybe that's what it comes down to. Apple has given us an entire ecosystem that works and is easy to use and people love it. Microsoft can't seem to pull off the entire package like Apple can.
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by Andrew Denn September 21, 2009 8:51 AM PDT
Actually, why not just use Crossover?? Then there is not installing XP at all, or any other Windows version. It works great for certain Win-only programs i use.
Reply to this comment
by samsnotunix September 28, 2009 1:38 AM PDT
Ok still doesn't do me any good. Let me know when there is linux support and the zune hd can play ogg files. Then you have a worthy mp3 player.
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MP3 Insider is a blog and weekly podcast created by CNET's MP3 technology experts, Donald Bell and Jasmine France. Each week, Jasmine and Donald discuss the latest digital music (and video) news, hardware, software, and media services, and address reader calls and e-mail. Send us e-mail at mp3insider@cnet.com or call us at 1-800-720-CNET (2638) and be a part of the show.

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Donald Bell Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.

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