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Microsoft Zune 30

Microsoft's first foray into the portable media world and take on the iPod head on.  The Zune is set to release in holiday 2006, and will come in a variety of colours.  Wireless connectivity is the standout feature for the Zune as the integrated wireless adapter allows Zune players to communicate with one another and share music.  Microsoft has also created a Zune specific music store called Zune Marketplace, where people can purchase music to play on their Zune or Media Center computer. Gamers with an Xbox 360 can connect the Zune to share media, and even use their Microsoft Points to purchase music from the Zune marketplace. In November 2007 Microsoft launched their second generation Zunes with improved WiFi sharing, and a better Zune Marketplace. Instead of abandoning this first generation product, all the software features of the new Zune are incorporated in this first model through a firmware update.

Where to Buy

Microsoft Zune31
MSRP $199.99
Release date November, 2006
Brand Microsoft
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have it
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Pros & Cons16
Reviews12
Details
Buy It
Competitors2
Comments11
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
12 reviews
54
negative
mixed
positive
6 positive
2 mixed
4 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Large 3" screen; good for video (4:3)
+8agreedisagree

•
Integrated wireless for sharing songs (with some limitations) and photos
+7agreedisagree

•
Can be found for $99 if you shop around.
+7agreedisagree

•
Solid core competency of playing audio, video, photos
+6agreedisagree

•
Intuitive and colorful interface
+5agreedisagree

•
Nicely integrated with Zune Marketplace
+5agreedisagree

•
A lot of accessories available
+5agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Cannot be used as a hard drive
+7agreedisagree

•
Not backwards compatible with WMA-DRM9 audio
+6agreedisagree

•
Proprietary USB connector
+6agreedisagree

•
WiFi can't be used to stream, sync, or download content
+5agreedisagree

•
Small max capacity (30GB compared to 80GB iPod)
+3agreedisagree

•
Poor format support
+3agreedisagree

•
Screen Resolution only 320x240.
+1agreedisagree

•
Only 64k color (16bit compared to Creative Zen X-fi)
+1agreedisagree

•
Poor video support. Cannot play protected content
-2agreedisagree


13 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Features

  • 3 inch screen with 320x240 resolution
  • 30GB hard drive
  • WiFi capabilities for sharing music and photos with other zunes
  • WiFi syncing with host computer
  • Integrates with Zune marketplace
  • FM Radio with RDS support
  • Image formats: JPEG
  • Audio formats: unprotected AAC, MP3, WMA
  • Video formats: h.264, MPEG4, WMV

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Articles

• Zune Arts: Weird for the sake of weird?

written by Erik Jan 2, 07

• The Zune launches today. Have a look.

written by Erik Nov 14, 06

Discussions

• Thoughts on Zune

last post by starbuck93 Sep 15, 06

This report was started September 15, 2006 at 11:34 am by Omar
with the last edit occurring Today, 1:53 PM by Erik
This page has been viewed 2795 times, with 142 edits by 22 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Competitors

Microsoft Zune 30 is ranked 2nd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in MP3 Players »
Apple iPod Video 30GB 5th Gen

Apple iPod Video 30GB 5th Gen

MSRP  $299.00    Released  September, 2005
Pros
  • Enormous pool of accessories available
  • Sharp high-resolution screen clear enough to read subtitles
  • Seamless integration with iTunes
Cons
  • Body scuffs easily
  • No custom EQ
  • Not a lot of space for videos, especially compared to newer 80GB and 120GB models.
ProSCORE
11 reviews
62
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Microsoft Zune 30 0% vs. vote Apple iPod Video 30GB 5th Gen 100%
Creative Zen Vision:M

Creative Zen Vision:M

MSRP  $250.00    Released  December, 2005
Pros
  • Easily plays DiVX formatted files unlike the iPod
  • Intuitive user interface.
  • FM Radio, Able to record FM Radio with newer Firmware.
Cons
  • Playlist building via player needs work.
  • Requires a Separate Dongle for TV Out/ Charging purpose's.
  • heavier and larger than the competition
ProSCORE
9 reviews
71
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Microsoft Zune 30   vs. vote Creative Zen Vision:M  

Suggest a new competitor to add to the list of competing products.
If the product hasn't yet been added to ProductWiki, submitting it here will also start the product report.

Comments

12 taps
1.  avatar Erik said:

I admit, it looks really nice and I like the interconnectivity. But I guess, overall, I'm like "meh...big deal".
Sep 15, 2006 11:39am
2.  avatar starbuck93 said:

I want this for Christmas! (lol) It looks a lot better than the ipod.
Oct 05, 2006 6:01pm
3.  avatar Omar said:

You really think so? It's bulkier and the battery life isn't as good as the new iPods. I guess it really depends on the software that MS supplies. I'm not too fond of iTunes, so if Microsoft upgrades Windows Media Player appropriately that could make this thing pretty cool. I actually haven't upgraded to WMP11 yet, maybe I should.
Oct 05, 2006 10:32pm
4.  avatar riku0093 said:

I agree with Erik and come on y are they trying to make so many things just to put ipods out of business they beat microsoft in music, big deal microsoft has them beat hands down in everything else.Overall if i had to give it a 1 out of 10 score i would give it a 5.
Oct 06, 2006 4:20pm
5.  avatar dialupinternetuser said:

You can get some good hacks to make it worthwhile. They are all on popsci.com in the How 2.0 section
Mar 21, 2007 3:42pm
6.  avatar killerkevin1995 said:

The zune is pretty cool, but the copyright protection really sucks
Jul 25, 2007 12:02pm
7.  avatar maddmannmatt said:

Nice try, M$. Too little, too late.
Sep 07, 2007 11:02am
8.  avatar cybernaut said:

I got my white Zune thru the $ 129 Woot deal and another black refurbished one at $ 99. I'll give one to my wife and keep the other in my laptop bag. xCan't wait for the firmware update.
Oct 07, 2007 1:11pm
9.  avatar winkdot said:

You can find the brown ones for about $89.00 to $99.00. Great deal if you don't really care about the color.

The new firmware and Zune PC software is a great improvement. It adds wireless sync and podcast which I like a lot. I was lucky and got the black one for $99.00 at Woot.

 

Nov 22, 2007 1:26pm
10.  avatar Omar said:

I so wish WOOT shipped to Canada. I had to look on with envy as you guys got that incredible deal. A $90 Zune is a friggen steal!
Nov 22, 2007 1:48pm
11.  avatar hissy100 said:

got one for my birthday love it, way better than the ipod hands down
Feb 18, 2008 10:34am
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Erik

avatar
November 29, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
54
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
6 cons
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Large 3" screen; good for video (4:3)
  • Integrated wireless for sharing songs (with some limitations) and photos
  • Can be found for $99 if you shop around.
  • Solid core competency of playing audio, video, photos
  • Intuitive and colorful interface
  • Nicely integrated with Zune Marketplace
  • A lot of accessories available

Cons

  • Cannot be used as a hard drive
  • Not backwards compatible with WMA-DRM9 audio
  • Proprietary USB connector
  • WiFi can't be used to stream, sync, or download content
  • Small max capacity (30GB compared to 80GB iPod)
  • Poor video support. Cannot play protected content

Comments

"I admit, it looks really nice and I like the interconnectivity. But I guess, overall, I'm like "meh...big deal"."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

SuperNick

avatar
June 29, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
64
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
4 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Large 3" screen; good for video (4:3)
  • Integrated wireless for sharing songs (with some limitations) and photos
  • Can be found for $99 if you shop around.
  • Solid core competency of playing audio, video, photos
  • Intuitive and colorful interface
  • Nicely integrated with Zune Marketplace
  • A lot of accessories available

Cons

  • Cannot be used as a hard drive
  • Proprietary USB connector
  • WiFi can't be used to stream, sync, or download content
  • Small max capacity (30GB compared to 80GB iPod)

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

hissy100

avatar
February 18, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
64
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
4 cons
love itlove it
have ithave it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Large 3" screen; good for video (4:3)
  • Integrated wireless for sharing songs (with some limitations) and photos
  • Can be found for $99 if you shop around.
  • Solid core competency of playing audio, video, photos
  • Intuitive and colorful interface
  • Nicely integrated with Zune Marketplace
  • A lot of accessories available

Cons

  • Cannot be used as a hard drive
  • Not backwards compatible with WMA-DRM9 audio
  • Proprietary USB connector
  • WiFi can't be used to stream, sync, or download content

Comments

"got one for my birthday love it, way better than the ipod hands down"
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Amanie

avatar
May 11, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
33
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
6 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Large 3" screen; good for video (4:3)
  • Integrated wireless for sharing songs (with some limitations) and photos
  • Solid core competency of playing audio, video, photos

Cons

  • Cannot be used as a hard drive
  • Not backwards compatible with WMA-DRM9 audio
  • Proprietary USB connector
  • WiFi can't be used to stream, sync, or download content
  • Small max capacity (30GB compared to 80GB iPod)
  • Poor video support. Cannot play protected content

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

fractalhorizon

avatar
January 17, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
12
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
7 cons
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Can be found for $99 if you shop around.

Cons

  • Cannot be used as a hard drive
  • Not backwards compatible with WMA-DRM9 audio
  • Proprietary USB connector
  • WiFi can't be used to stream, sync, or download content
  • Small max capacity (30GB compared to 80GB iPod)
  • Poor format support
  • Poor video support. Cannot play protected content

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Punter

avatar
March 22, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
29
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
5 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Large 3" screen; good for video (4:3)
  • Can be found for $99 if you shop around.

Cons

  • Cannot be used as a hard drive
  • Not backwards compatible with WMA-DRM9 audio
  • Proprietary USB connector
  • Poor format support
  • Screen Resolution only 320x240.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

neodarksaver

avatar
October 16, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
86
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
1 con
love itlove it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Large 3" screen; good for video (4:3)
  • Integrated wireless for sharing songs (with some limitations) and photos
  • Solid core competency of playing audio, video, photos
  • Intuitive and colorful interface
  • Nicely integrated with Zune Marketplace
  • A lot of accessories available

Cons

  • Cannot be used as a hard drive

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

winkdot

avatar
November 22, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
0 cons
want itwant it
have ithave it
love itlove it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Large 3" screen; good for video (4:3)
  • Integrated wireless for sharing songs (with some limitations) and photos
  • Solid core competency of playing audio, video, photos
  • Intuitive and colorful interface
  • Nicely integrated with Zune Marketplace
  • A lot of accessories available

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Comments

"

You can find the brown ones for about $89.00 to $99.00. Great deal if you don't really care about the color.

The new firmware and Zune PC software is a great improvement. It adds wireless sync and podcast which I like a lot. I was lucky and got the black one for $99.00 at Woot.

 

"
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Anil Okay

avatar
Sunday, 3:38 PM
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
54
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
6 cons

Pros

  • Large 3" screen; good for video (4:3)
  • Integrated wireless for sharing songs (with some limitations) and photos
  • Can be found for $99 if you shop around.
  • Solid core competency of playing audio, video, photos
  • Intuitive and colorful interface
  • Nicely integrated with Zune Marketplace
  • A lot of accessories available

Cons

  • Not backwards compatible with WMA-DRM9 audio
  • Proprietary USB connector
  • WiFi can't be used to stream, sync, or download content
  • Small max capacity (30GB compared to 80GB iPod)
  • Poor format support
  • Only 64k color (16bit compared to Creative Zen X-fi)

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

wtrtwnguy

avatar
December 3, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
2 cons
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Not backwards compatible with WMA-DRM9 audio
  • WiFi can't be used to stream, sync, or download content

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No
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