Great mega MP3 option for non-iPod fans

Author's Rating:

Pros: sound quality, ease of use, variety of files it can play, playlists, organization, FM tuner

Cons: marketplace

The Bottom Line: 
Definitely recommend - perhaps not as a replacement to an iPod, but if you are just getting into mega MP3 players, buy the Zune! I believe it has great potential.

Author's Review
Last year, with all the hype of the then new iPod, I seriously looked into purchasing one. I had been using a Rio Cali Sport for some time, but it's limited 256 MB capacity was getting a bit tiny for me. However, after researching the iPod - while I believe it is a great product for some - I realized it was not for me. I had been using Windows Media Player for sometime to listen to music on my computer. As well, I had purchased all my downloaded music in the wma file format. iPod would NOT play these. Granted, I didn't have an extensive collection of downloaded music, but enough that I didn't like the idea of having to buy it all again from iTunes. Since then, I've actually had some experience with iTunes (someone gave me a gift card they couldn't use) and I have to say I wasn't overly impressed there either. So I bought an expansion card for my Rio and moved on.

So, this year when I discovered Microsoft was to release the Zune, I began my research again. I was thrilled that it would play both wma files and aac files! Yea. I thought the wireless sharing was cool - but probably not something I would use. And I have to admit, I was thrilled with the fact that it was Microsoft. NOT because I'm a Microsoft fan-boy. I personally believe Microsoft and Apple both put out quality products with their own limitations. The trick is to figure out which will work best for you. For me, a Microsoft PC is best. I was thrilled that MS made the Zune because I was hoping that a MP3 player made by MS would function better with MS XP, Windows Media Player and everything else currently on my computer. So I told my hubby the Zune was all I wanted for Christmas, and began watching the reviews while I waited for it.

So far, I've been thrilled. I had none of the installations issues I've read about. I am running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 though. I think that's at least what the Zune people expect you to have. Or at least what the device was intended to "play" with. The software did freeze at one point during installation, but when I clicked on cancel to start over, it moved right on from where it had frozen. I've had no issues with the software since. It is very similar to Windows Media Player and I find that the easiest to use.

The Zune itself is well made. As I said, I've never had an iPod so I can't honestly compare size, weight, etc. But I find the Zune light enough. It is bigger than what I am used to, but I'm willing to deal with that for the extra storage over my Rio. I've read many reviews stating that the coating on the Zune is better at preventing fingerprints all over (apparently an issue with iPods). It doesn't seem to collect fingerprints except on the screen itself. I find the controls on the Zune very easy to manipulate. However, the Rio I had used a similar system. I find the Zune very easy to control. The headphones that it came with are ear buds. That alone is a reason for me not to like them. But they were comfortable enough. I did keep them for some future use. I just prefer my Sony headphones.

I find the sound quality very high. I definitely hear the clarity in my songs. As long as I'm using quality headphones, I find the sound superb. I like all the various choices I have for playing my music as well. The playlists, shuffles, etc. I like that I can select my playlists or select songs by albums, or artists. I had to sort them manually on my Rio - but I realize it was quite old. It's nice not to have to sort the artists or albums.

I really enjoy that I can personalize the Zune. When I installed the Zune it did pull all my songs, photos and videos off my computer. I found it annoying that I had to delete the ones I didn't want, but it would have been just as annoying to load the ones I did, so . . But I like that I can put a family photo on as my background if I want. All in all, I love this MP3.

But before I end the review, let me comment on the Marketplace and downloaded music. One of the things that really drew me to the Zune was that it wouldn't matter where I bought my music - I could play it on the Zune. Ok, it needs to be mentioned that this is very true, but licensing on purchased music can make this a bit of a pain. Unless you purchase your music from Zune, it will not play protected files. So if you bought your music from any other site, you have to work around this. I simply burned my protected files (that I had bought from Walmart.com or iTunes) onto CDs. Then I ripped the CDs to the Zune software. Voila. My purchased songs are now unprotected for the Zune to accept. A bit of a pain, but better than re-buying all my music.

Today I actually used the Zune Marketplace. You have to purchase a Zune pass (unlimited downloads for $15/month) or Microsoft points (which also apparently work for Xbox 360). I'm opting for the points at this time as I'm not sure I will download enough to make the $15 worth my wild. I purchased 400 points today for $5. Points are available in higher increments and get cheaper per point the more you buy at once. Now, on the Marketplace it will show you how many points it "costs" to purchase an album. It will also show you that individual songs can be purchased for 79 cents (why they don't list the songs' prices in points is beyond me - it would be nice if all the currency was the same). For my 400 points, I was able to download five songs, with 5 points left over. So that meant the songs "cost" 99 points each. So really, this does mean I paid 99 cents per song because what am I going to do with the 5 points but add it to more points I buy. The way I figure I'll just be accumulating all these extra 5 points until I've bought a LOT of songs at which point I was probably better off buying the Zune Pass. But anyway. There are other sites that sell the songs cheaper - I just then have to do the burn/rip situation. Mainly I just wanted to make readers aware of this.

Overall, I would definitely recommend the Zune. Perhaps not as a replacement of an iPod and I don't believe it will be an iPod Killer as some have called it. iPod has too much of a customer base. But I believe the Zune will eventually be some great competion! Personally it is the best choice for me - all the greatness of an iPod with the ability to play more file types and the wireless sharing (which will eventually mean something). Oh and I completely forgot about the FM tuner! Another bonus - I just don't use it often. I truly believe the Zune is a great mega MP3 player.