7.4 out of 10

Microsoft Zune

Information found in: from 96 sources in 25 countries.

Best Price: $116

  • User Score (182)
    8.1 ********
  • Expert Score (16)
    7.3 *******
  • Design (1)
    8.2 ********
  • Value for money (40)
    8.0 ********
  • Features (37)
    7.0 *******
  • Ease of use (36)
    6.8 *******
  • Performance (1)
    9.0 *********
  • Sound quality (13)
    5.3 *****

Freak Rank

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  • Buzz Index: 5/5
  • Activity: 5/5

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Review Summary

The Microsoft Zune is the company’s attempt to a holistic approach to music and entertainment. The Zune features 802.11 WiFi, 30GB of HDD, a built-in integrated FM tuner, a 3-inch screen and most of the basic music, pictures (JPEG formats) and video playback of other players on the market. The Zune of course supports music recorded in the Windows Media Audio Standard, better known as WMA, as well as in MP3 and AAC formats. Reviewers were surprised by the AAC support (can anyone say Apple iTunes?).On the video side, no surprise here the Zune supports Windows Media Video or WMV formats. On the down side, the unit offers no support for MPEG-4, DivX, or AVI.

The wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing option is the promotional highlight for this unit. Find another person with a Zune and you can share your recoded tracks with that friend over the WiFi. However, the proprietary aspects kick in here after three plays on your friend’s Zune, or after three days, at which time he or she can flag the song for purchase at the Zune marketplace. That is unless they are an unlimited "Zune Pass" subscriber. Unprotected sharing of other personal videos can also be done. All all in, the Microsoft Zune offers good playback performance of audio, video, and photos. It is reasonably intuitive and comes with a good FM radio. The unit works well with the proprietary Zune Marketplace software. Most importantly, the unit offers wireless sharing of songs and photos with other Zune users. In addition, the Microsoft Zune has many other accessories available. However, the unit only supports audio and video currently being offered in the Zune Marketplace (other than non-DRM protected media you might already have on your personal computer) and you cannot use Wi-Fi feature to stream or purchase content. If you have prior downloaded music from Napster or AOL Music or MTV’s Urge, it will not play on the Zune.

No manufacturer description available.

  1. Reviewer: PC World
    12 September 2007
    Overall 8
    ********
    Design 8
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    Features 7
    *******
    Performance 9
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    What will it take to beat Apple's iPod at its own game? Microsoft is betting that its $250 Zune--a 30GB, Wi-Fi-equipped music and video player--can go toe-to-toe with the digital music giant. Read more

  2. Microsoft Zune Review

    Reviewer: Anything but iPod
    18 April 2007

    Having used nearly every player on the market over the last few years, I cannot help but feel like my hands are tied when using the Zune. I feel limited by the single piece of software that must be used. I want choice. I want to be able to play all my media, or at least the supplied software should allow me convert it. The Zune is a really nice piece of hardware, but it lacks flexibility and choice. I understand the pros of an ecosystem approach, but a hybrid as discu... Read more

  3. Microsoft Zune

    Reviewer: thetechzone.com
    06 March 2007

    Bill Gates and Microsoft says they're ready to tackle the iPod head-on with the recently released Zune. We took a nice brown 30GB Zune out for a spin to find out how it stacks up against the wonder box from Apple. Read more

  4. Microsoft Zune

    Reviewer: thetechlounge.com
    06 March 2007

    I'll get straight to it! Should you buy a Zune? Well of course that decision will have to be based on several factors. I will approach this from 3 different scenarios. First, I'll start with myself, naturally. I'm the sort of MP3 user that will rarely, if ever, purchase pop music from a site like iTunes or Zune Marketplace. I get my MP3s from smaller commercial iOutlets and they don't contain any DRM voodoo. Alternatively I buy CDs direct from the artist's webs... Read more

  5. Microsoft Zune 30GB Media Player

    Reviewer: Bonafide
    28 February 2007

    Our experience with using Zune was quite positive. The device itself works quite well and the interface is easy to learn and use. We found listening to music and radio, viewing pictures, and viewing videos is very simple and intuitive. The Zune sounds great and the 16:9 screen is very attractive. It was one of the first devices we have used that we could actually enjoy watching the video without being distracted by weaknesses that usually plague mobile devices like sc... Read more

  1. Awesome

    Reviewer: Poison520, newegg.com
    3 weeks ago
    Overall 10
    **********
     

    I've had this for two and a half months, and it's awesome. The only thing I regret is not buying one with a larger capacity. Read more

  2. I Love It

    Reviewer: DT, circuitcity.com
    3 weeks ago
    Overall 10
    **********
    Value for money 10
    **********
    Ease of use 10
    **********
     

    No more needs to be said. Read more

  3. Great Monitor

    Reviewer: sreymsr, Ebay
    05 April 2008

    Great little monitor for the price. Can't beat it! Stylish, compact, big enough to work with, yet small enough to not overtake your desk. Read more

  4. Awesome

    Reviewer: blue eyes, Yahoo Shopping
    01 February 2008
    Overall 10
    **********
    Value for money 10
    **********
    Features 10
    **********
    Sound quality 10
    **********
     

    i luv it. BUY THIS PRODUCT IT IS GREAT!!!!! Read more

  5. Zune rates #1

    Reviewer: MrsMK, Bestbuy
    25 December 2007
    Overall 10
    **********
     

    "My daughter had the Ipod Nano for nearly two years and her car was broken into and it was stolen. So we replaced it with the Zune at the recommendation of two store clerks. They were right. It is cheaper but has several features that the Nano doesn't have. At first she was frustrated with it because it isn't that easy to set up or get it going but once she figured it out she loves it. All of her friends who have Nano's already are jealous. Plus we were told at the st... Read more

  1. Need help finding a new mp3 player to replace a creative zen m vision!

    Microsoft Zune.

    forum.notebookreview.com: 03 August 2008 Read more

  2. Zune Offical price $250 ! Nov 14th launch

    forum.digitaltrends.com: 11 December 2006 Read more

  3. A good music player?

    microsoft zune is amazing player. i have the 30 gig and 8 gig editions. 80 gig ftw if you can find one

    forum.notebookreview.com: 12 June 2007 Read more

  4. That Giant Sucking Sound May Be Your New TV

    forum.videohelp.com: 14 December 2007 Read more

  5. meh, its upgrading time.....

    forum.notebookreview.com: 02 July 2008 Read more

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Video Reviews

  • SeeYaZune: Microsoft Zune Home AV Pack Review Microsoft Zune Home AV Pack Review Length: Play Video
  • macflyfilm: Leo Laporte hates the Zune! Leo Laporte hates the Zune! Length: Play Video
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