Microsoft Zune 80GB May 23rd, 2008 | by Mike Kobrin
Full Review
Features and Design Setup
The 80GB Zune is slightly taller and thicker than the 80GB iPod Classic, measuring 2.4 x 4.3 x .5 inches. But the glass LCD screen is significantly bigger, at 3.2 inches versus the iPod's 2.5 inches. The matte black front (also available in red) is complemented by a metallic champagne-colored back, and the 4.5-ounce device feels very comfortable in our hand.
Below the screen, the minimal controls consist of Back and Play/Pause buttons flanking a touch-sensitive, clickable pad. Aside from those, there's a standard 3.5-mm headphone jack and small hold switch on top and a proprietary dock connector on the bottom.
Extras
Responding to complaints about Apple's stock iPod earbuds, Microsoft smartly includes a pair of headphones that go into your ear canals. The Zune earbuds have some nice touches, including cloth-covered cabling and magnets that keep the earbuds together when not in use. You also get 3 sizes of extra silicone eartips. The only other accessory is a proprietary sync/charge USB cable.
Downloading the Zune software (41.5MB) requires setting up a Windows Live account, which asks for information like date of birth and email address, but you get access to the Social (wireless sharing) and the Zune Marketplace.
When we launched the software on our virtual Win XP system running on our Macbook Pro, a message told us our "video hardware isn't fully compatible with Zune software. This will keep you from enjoying video enhancement, which includes ornamental on-screen animation." (Typical Microsoft.) We didn't get this message on our homebrew Windows box with an ATI Radeon X1600 graphics card.
When we connected our Zune, the software immediately notified us that a firmware update was available. We're pleased to report the update was totally painless. We then were prompted to name the device and link it to our computer and Windows Live account.
From a design standpoint, we prefer iTunes because the layout directs your eyes to the main window, whereas the Zune software's layout is equally weighted in multiple areas. Ultimately it's a matter of personal preference, and both are easy to use.
Image Courtesy of Microsoft
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by Cathy Hasty on June 30, 2008:
“My daughter bought a ZUNE for Christmas and it stopped working after 6 months. Even though she bought it through ZUNE, without the reciept she cannot access the warranty. ” More...