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- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 426 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
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88 out of 119 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Best Buy Employee Insight on the ZUNE"
Pros: Supports Play For Sure Software, Ad-Hoc Wi-Fi, and Video Playback
Cons: Limited Accesories
Summary: Hello, I've been working for Best Buy for about a year and a half. Before my days here I loved the Ipod, until I realized the firmware issues that they are prone to. The Zune has the features and support that the Ipod simply does not. As for the comments pertaining to viruses that I've seen on these reviews, rest assured, the zune is secure from any possible virus contamination. The only draw back off the bat for the Zune is the lack of accessories. Many customers that we help want a purchase based on the amount of accessories that the device offers. There are optional docks, chargers, fm broadcast devices as well that interface with the Zune. The drawback is that the accessories are not readily available in retail stores.
With all of that being said, I don't believe that the sound quality will compare to that of a Creative device (amazing signal to noise ratio) but the audio should still beat out any .acc format encoding. We've tested the new 80gb Ipod against the Zen Vision M using Shure E3c headphones and were dissapointed with the audio quality on our Demo Ipod.
Conclusion:
Good Device for the dollar. At 249.99 for the same capacity as an Ipod, more features with less accessories (initially), I'd wager that the Zune will hold it's own against the almighty Ipod.
My Reccomendation, do some research and find out which device suits you the best.
- 19 replies to this review
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You make a few good points but launch a few space shots too. Not a reliable review as a result.
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I love my Zune however I was hoping for a better battery life. My solution to this challenge turned out to be picking up a PowerStick 15 from BatteryGeek.net. I would highly recommend the Zune. Just be sure and pick up that extra battery pack if you plan to doing any traveling with it.
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Got a few questions.I've had a creative Zen Micro Photo for about 2 years now. I struggled to decide between an Ipod or a Zen when I got my mp3 player. The feature that won me over was the FM tuner. I know just a silly little thing like that couldn't really win me over. But it did. I heard all the great things about the Ipod from my friends and (Best Buy Employees) I'm not dissing you ghost, saying that it had all these accessories and way better than Creative. There was still something I didn't like though. I could only get music from itunes (at the time) and who really "buys" there music. So I got the Creative because I could download music from Limewire, Kazaa, Mp3 Rockets etc. I have played around with my friends Ipods a countless number of times and think that there just OK. There is no outstanding feature out there that makes me want to get out there and buy one right away. I don't think they are reliable at all. One of my friends dropped his and half the screen is black now because the pixels got messed up, and it was in a case. I dropped my Zen 20+ times (with a case) not once did it have any damage. Now for the Zune i have never used a Zune but I have seen one of my friends and I think it had great picture quality. That's all I have experienced with the Zune. I find the wireless sharing concept pretty cool. The only thing is that 1 out of 100 people have one. So that means wireless sharing is pretty much pointless right now. Another thing I like is that you can use microsoft points to buy songs. I have an Xbox 360 (also waitng for xbox handheld!) and never know what to spend my points on. This might help me decide. I just wonder how much each song/album, which ever way u can buy will be. Now I know they are going to become more popular, but by the time they do, there might be another Zune out. So in conclusion should I keep/get a newer Creative product, go with accessory heaven in Ipod, or go with revolutionary new features with Zune?
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Hey i also work at Best Buy (Store 339). Our PRP (Product Replacement Plan) is a great asset to anyone looking to buy a Zune. I agree with everything you said about the Zune. The accessories are a little slow to come out but I cant wait for the Zune to start challenging the iPod. Nice Review!!
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How easy is it to transfer my itunes library to the Zune?
TIA,
DW -
If you're familiar with the Zen Photo, how does the Zune compare, soundwise and in ease of use?
I saw the Zune in a store and noted that the display looked a lot easier to read than the Zen Photo, but that's all I know. I find the Photo somewhat of a nuisance trying to find individual tracks and change from shuffle to alpha mode and back again, esp while trying work out in the gym and not have to stop to look and figure out how to work the darn thing! Also I don't like the Photo's slider control. Based on the above, wondering if the Zune would do more what I want? -
can i watch videos and movies downloaded from itunes on the zune?
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I just bought the Microsoft Zune, and I got to tell you that after a couple of ipods it is a nice change.
Yes the Zune is bigger than the ipod, but with a screen that you can actually use, makes up for its larger size. Although I have no idea where I can get videos to download to my Zune, I am sure that is something that Microsoft is working on. Maybe some of you out there can help me with this.
The sound quality of the Zune is pretty damn good. I have on either the acoustic or the electronic setting, they seem to sound the best. If you hold down the back button for 3sec., it will bring you to the system option menu skipping the other steps. I do suggest that you dump the headphones that came with your Zune and get some good ones. I purchased the $40 Zune headphones, which are very comfortable, have good sound (both highs and lows), and they come with a case to keep them safe when not in use.
I am enjoying my Zune, in just the week that I have had it, I already have over 2,000 songs on it. Never had any trouble with any of the transfers too.
The only thing that I am not happy with is the battery life. I have made all the adjustments necessary to prolong the life of the battery but still only get 6-7 hours out of it. Is this normal, dose anyone out there have one that last any longer.
I have made the switch, got ride of my last ipod and it is all Zune from here. Excellent product, which is sure to only get better with time. -
Before you get your panties in a bunch I had Apple PC's back when the Apple IIe was the rave. So don't think I am a "pro" Microsoft lunatic. While purchasing computer equipment for a business for instance let's look at some very basic numbers without dragging IT Assistance & Security numbers in the mix to start.
First, worldwide there are some 465 million Microsoft Oriented Users and 117 million users of those originate here in the United States alone. That is attributed to all facets of the company combined not to mention that doesn?t account units provided to schools. Vista sold 20 million?s units in the first month of sales. Now I am one of those users and have seven PC?s in my home alone, previously three Xbox?s and now two 360?s so my grandchildren can play online with me when they visit. In business I have had as many as 300 PC?s within the business and I am very aware of the security and other related issues that are needed with Microsoft based machines and software.
The ability to integrate a mass number of machines that are all readily available to take on software without fear that your PC platform can actually use required software is what continues to hold Apple down regardless of what the media folks say. If Apple could have guaranteed me a viable Office Package and High-End Graphics option back in my day I wouldn?t have cared what the units cost. Simply because the IT and Security Issues would be nil.
As a former Apple Stockholder I got out when the IPOD made a difference but negated getting back into Apple shares when they have only been able to increase overall market shares from 2005?s 3.5 market share to 2007 3.6 market share. That?s with everything they have to offer to date, including the choke hold they maintain on the online music purchasing market. Forbes magazine was quoted in an article that Apple over the next three year should move their stock up a dollar and four cents. That would account for a 2.4 increase in Apples Oriented Users making the projected market share a whopping seven percent. Apple in diversifying their overall market with the IPOD interface actually have not really shown me anything intriguing from a PC standpoint with exception of their OS X operating system.
Where Microsoft in my opinion is branching out and willing to take baby steps with new products. As they up the ante with the level of the users buying their new products. For instance, I recently purchased the Playstation 3 for my grandkids to play as well. Though the unit is power packed but the games offered at release were overhyped and under delivered. When your eight year olds to sixteen year olds are turning the P3 off and then getting on the XBOX 360 that should tell you something. Especially when Microsoft has specifically targeted the XBOX product line to a specific demographic of users opposed to what Sony and Nintendo targets. Users that are starting young and growing up with XBOX line like I did with the Playstation Series. Yes, I have in fact purchased the kids the Wii as well and after three days the kids are back on the XBOX 360?s.
In closing, the Zune will most likely follow suit as I wait for the next version to be developed and marketed as I suspect it will be part of the family home entertainment platform. No matter what anyone says Bill?s got the bucks and the resources to take his piece of the pie.
So ghostinkernel32 your not so crazy like those PC/Microsoft hater's say you are. Keep on posting and don't pay to "Steve Jobber Wannabe's" any mind. -
You know nothing, that?s why you work at best buy. You shouldn?t offer opinions on anything.
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Anyone with an internet connection and common sense will come to their own decisions when choosing a tech product.
Why should I take a Best Buy/Circuit City employee's word as the gospel? Half the people I've ran into while in this stores were bumbling halfwits who don't know what an MP3 to an AAC is.
I think it's utterly annoying to see people use their part-time job as a means of sounding "professional". This Best Buy employee hasn't even touched a Zune yet we are inclined to believe him?
And what is with this iPod "firmware" trite? lmao, what bugs? Like bugs under my rug? I've never heard of such things. -
I've seen it a million time here and on other user review sites. Some company person writes a review that looks like a sales brouchure and then comes back to defend the product after each reply to the original comment.
Is this guy a BB man? Who knows, who cares. Personally, he is a little too keen on this product that he doesn't own and has zero personal experience with.
Don't believe some guy on the net, most likely they're wrong or lying or both.
My advice: wait untill its been out AT LEAST six months, and then check the user reviews. But only check the negative ones. They are usually written by people who have had real problems with whatever product/service you are looking at. And for unbiased positive reviews, look at consumer reports. They are done by independent people (ie not influenced by advertisers) who actually know what they are writing about.
Dont believe the hype...
--Public Enemy. -
Okay, first of all, I tend to side with the guy who WORKS at Best Buy. Personally I'm a Circuit City guy, but still, he works there and knows tech. Second, how would you guys know? I'll bet half of you haven't even used the thing. I had an iPod for one year before some freak stole it. I hated that thing. The firmware (as ghost said) has flaws. I ended up sending it in for replacement 2 times because of the firmware. Nobody realizes how short a time these types of things last - the iPod has done tremendously well with all due respect, but it can't last much longer. In sixth grade, the iPod was the big thing. Now, two years later, the big thing is moving to Creatives and such. That's all I got. Nice review ghost.
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Okay, first of all, I tend to side with the guy who WORKS at Best Buy. Personally I'm a Circuit City guy, but still, he works there and knows tech. Second, how would you guys know? I'll bet half of you haven't even used the thing. I had an iPod for one year before some freak stole it. I hated that thing. The firmware (as ghost said) has flaws. I ended up sending it in for replacement 2 times because of the firmware. Nobody realizes how short a time these types of things last - the iPod has done tremendously well with all due respect, but it can't last much longer. In sixth grade, the iPod was the big thing. Now, two years later, the big thing is moving to Creatives and such. That's all I got. Nice review ghost.
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Obviously you don't work in the mp3 department at Best Buy. Many if not all of us knew from Microsoft themselves when they issued the Zune press release that this player would not be plays for sure compatible. Did you actually see the player or hold it in your hand? I doubt it. A friend of mine is a manager at Best Buy and the stores were given the same info as the general public, so please tell us where you received your information?
As far as the Zune, I'll pass. I love my iPod, but also am a fan of Creative labs players. I don't the Zune will be knocking Apple off it's throne anytime soon, although I'd love to see a player make Apple rethink their ipod. -
Where do I start? How about the fact that it's not Play-For-Sure compatible? To Quote Microsoft "Zune was designed to sync the Zune service... We will not be providing customer support to help customers with syncing their Zune to non-Zune devices... We will not be performing compatibility testing for non-Zune devices, and we will not make changed to our software to ensure compatibility with non-Zune devices." Microsoft has come out and openly said that the Zune isn't compatible with music services like Urge, Napster Rhapsody and older MSN files.
Without actually seeing the device, and I know that Best Buy hasn't received the Zune yet, how can you make any claims as to the audio quality and security capabilities of the Zune?
Now I'm not a big fan of the iPod, but that being said the Zune seems to be a half finished product that's strongest selling point is "with frequent firmware updates, I'm sure we'll get it right eventually..." Unlike the rest of their products (like software packages) Microsoft needs to realize that their MP3 players need to be finished before they try to sell them.... -
The Creative Zen always had better audio quality in my opinion compared to the Ipod. Glad you mentioned that. Im curious though, I have a Toshiba Gigabeat which I love. Since Toshiba makes the Zune for Microsoft how do they compare sound wise , feature wise etc. That is if Best Buy sells The Toshiba Gigabyte.
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Because it's going to support it's new DRM. Has that changed? It would be nice because it's weird that MSFT would abandon a DRM it created.
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You think Apple has firmware problems, eh?
I think Microsoft has hardware, software, design, product support, and firmware problems.
Where to buy
Zune (30GB, black):
$249.99
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$249.99 | Yes |
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