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All posts tagged "comparison"


Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Asher Hawkins Of Forbes Likes The Zune

Posted by David Tucker in "Zune News" @ 01:39 PM

http://www.forbes.com/technology/20...19ipodzune.html

“A 120 GB iPod Classic goes for $249, though its screen is roughly two-thirds the size of the Zune's. As far as music goes, when you're strolling through town listening to your tunes with your device in your pocket, will you really care which of the two you're using? The sad fact is, many would. The level of brand loyalty Apple enjoys today was prompted by increasingly aged innovations. As I see it, the main reason people turn their noses up at the Zune is that Microsoft is seen as uncool.”

If that isn’t the truth, I don’t know what is. Asher Hawkins did a side by side comparison of the Zune and iPod Touch. This is a comparison that at first glance seems a bit unfair given the very different nature of the two devices. When Asher admits to having been an Apple customer since age 5, then I didn’t exactly expect an unbiased look. I give Forbes credit for their professionalism though! Asher was very positive about the Zune in comparison to the iPod, even questioning why someone would choose a classic over the Zune 120.

Other than the fact that Asher was pretty positive on the whole thing, the most interesting comments came in regards to what you use day to day to listen to your music. And I agree completely. There is a difference of course between today’s MP3 players and yesterday’s CD player market. If you had a CD it would (usually) work in any player available.

Because of DRM and varying file formats, that’s of course not as easy anymore. I would guess, however, that most people who have their own music collections have them available in MP3 so that they can listen to them on any device they choose.


Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Sizing It Up: iPod nano (2G) vs. iPod nano (3G) vs. Zune (4GB/8GB)

Posted by Darius Wey in "Smartphone Talk" @ 11:08 PM

http://www.sizeasy.com/page/size_comparison/5890-iPod-nano-Second-Generation-vs-iPod-nano-Third-Generation-vs-Zune-4GB-8GB



As promised, here's the size comparison of the flash-based second- and third-generation iPod nano and the 4GB/8GB Zune. Enjoy!


Sizing It Up: iPod classic (80GB) vs. iPod touch vs. Zune (30GB) vs. Zune (80GB)

Posted by Darius Wey in "Zune Talk" @ 10:55 PM

http://www.sizeasy.com/page/size_comparison/5891-iPod-Classic-80GB-vs-iPod-Touch-vs-Zune-30GB-vs-Zune-80GB



Here we go: a size comparison of the 80GB iPod classic, iPod touch, 30GB Zune, and 80GB Zune. Despite sporting a larger screen (please tell us its resolution, Microsoft), the 80GB Zune is noticeably smaller than its predecessor, the 30GB Zune. Thanks to Zune Thoughts reader, enemes, for getting the ball rolling. We'll have a comparison of the flash-based iPod nano and Zune for you in just a moment.


Wednesday, January 31, 2007

PC World Tests and Compares Leading Portable Media Players

Posted by Aaron Roma in "Zune Talk" @ 09:44 AM

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,128157/article.html

"With video features, new ways to connect to music services, and more, the latest audio players do a lot more than just play MP3s. Our lab tests of 21 models reveal today's best buys... We point out differences in features and performance to help you weigh which is the right player for you."

PCWorld offers up a fairly extensive comparison, including audio quality tests, for many of today's leading digital media players. They group the players into three categories: flash, hard-drive, and large-screen video players. This is one of the more extensive comparisons I've seen, even if they do have some items just plain wrong. (Apparently you can't connect Zune via USB.) :) According to PC World's audio tests, Zune does slightly nudge out iPod in audio quality, receiving a "superior" ranking. Zune's lowest mark was in the features category, receiving only a "fair" mark, bringing Zune in at fifth overall behind the 30 GB iPod, Zen VisionM, Gigabeat S30, and 80 GB iPod, respectively. I do take issue with their statement that none of the other players can match the elegance of iPods user interface. On the contrary, having used iPods for some time, and now using a Zune, I think Zune's interface is much more elegant than iPod's.


Thursday, December 7, 2006

Zune a Better Fit for Some

Posted by Aaron Roma in "Zune Talk" @ 11:00 PM

http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=238

"I have been checking out the Zune and the iPod with video in direct comparison and have to say I prefer the Zune for my usage. Keep in mind a few things that help make the Zune more attractive for me that may not be applicable to others."

ZDNet's Matthew Miller has been using a Zune for the past three weeks. What has he learned in those three weeks? Zune may not have lived up to all the pre-release hype, but you know what, it's not a bad device at all. And for some people, including Miller, the Zune is a better fit than the iPod. Some of Miller's reasoning’s for giving the nod to Zune include the larger screen for more enjoyable video viewing and the subscription service to supplement his meager music collection. Check out his article for more thoughts on his Zune experience. Personally, owning both a video iPod and Zune, the Zune is a better device for me and my uses. I still have need of a smaller, flash based device, so my Nano will still compliment my Zune for now. The only feature currently missing for me is built-in podcast support. How about you? Does the Zune meet your portable media player needs, or are some improvements needed before you take the plunge?


Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Not a Fair Fight

Posted by Aaron Roma in "Thoughts Media Off Topic" @ 08:00 AM

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/living/16040280.htm

"I love Apple Computer's video iPods, but they have their annoyances... Apple is surely mulling whether to remedy some, if not all, these limitations, and now it has a fresh incentive to do so: Microsoft's new Zune player. I've been playing with the music, picture and video player for the past week, and I can't recommend it. The $250 Zune has too many drawbacks compared to a video iPod with the same price and 30-gigabyte storage capacity. But the Zune does offer a few advantages over iPods."

Twin Cities reporter Julio Ojeda-Zapata weighs in on the iPod vs. Zune fight. All though overall, his opinion is that the iPod wins hands down, he does a nice job of pointing out some of the iPod's frustrations and the Zune's strong points. (He even tried the "key" test on his loaner Zune, and was quite pleased with the hardware's durability. I'm not brave enough to try that!) One of the negatives that are pointed out in this article, amongst others, is the Zune Marketplace is currently limited to 2 million tracks, compared to 3.5 million on iTunes Store. Yes, Zune Marketplace does have some ground to make up. Most of these articles never mention that when iTunes Store first launched, it did so with a paltry 200,000 tracks, and only reach 1 million tracks some 16 months into existence. Zune appears to have a nice springboard launching with 2 million. As long as they continue to add content, this shouldn’t be an issue. Personally, I’ve yet to have an issue find a song I was looking for on either service. Maybe I’m just too main stream!


Sunday, October 1, 2006

Zune vs. iPod - In Pictures!

Posted by Darius Wey in "Zune Talk" @ 11:16 PM

http://www.jakeludington.com/zune/20061001_zune_and_ipod_photo_comparison.html

"I got face time with a Zune this weekend and decided to look at how the form factor compares to the 80GB iPod I picked up a few days ago. The Zune weighs considerably less than the iPod, although I didn't have a scale on hand to get exact comparison. It felt like the Zune was more comparable to my Cingular 2125 phone, while the iPod weighs quite a bit more."



Side-by-side with the iPod, the Zune does look larger in height and thickness. However, according to Jake Ludington, the Zune feels lighter, which is a real bonus. Jake's final pictures show the black Zune and the blue trim in all its glory (I'm really digging this colour scheme), with large album art and a neat UI (something I'm also digging). Check it out!


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