Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPod touch iPod touch vs. Zune HD
- Thread starter SnowLeopard2008
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Really, the OLED screen may look bad outdoors, but iPod Touch doesn't really look any better outdoors either.
elppa
macrumors 68040
The Zune is a traditional media player than general purpose device. So if you want a general purpose pocket computer then the iPod touch is the way to go.
The Zune HD reminds me of very much what Apple would attempt if they were trying to get into a market. It is very focussed on doing a few things well (music, video) and has some unique features which make it stand out as a premium product.
In terms of design, I think it is better than the touch. Whilst the screws may not be to everyone's taste I think they fit well with the rugged, industrial look.
The touch debuted in 2007, even in that time the chipsets and techniques would have progressed (e.g. the Zune HD is lighter, yet offers a brighter screen and better battery life).
Zune users do all get their software updates for free, which is another bonus to the HD. That wasn't mentioned in the OPs comparison.
The Zune HD reminds me of very much what Apple would attempt if they were trying to get into a market. It is very focussed on doing a few things well (music, video) and has some unique features which make it stand out as a premium product.
In terms of design, I think it is better than the touch. Whilst the screws may not be to everyone's taste I think they fit well with the rugged, industrial look.
The touch debuted in 2007, even in that time the chipsets and techniques would have progressed (e.g. the Zune HD is lighter, yet offers a brighter screen and better battery life).
Zune users do all get their software updates for free, which is another bonus to the HD. That wasn't mentioned in the OPs comparison.
leomac08
macrumors 68020
HEY OP!
this is pretty much the same stuff i've been hearing over and OVER and OVER!😱
the zune HD sucks!!!!
but hey that's my opinion....😉
I have an ipod touch
but I have no Zune HD or any Zune Device!
so in any case I will always be biased, b/c I tend to like more the ipod touch than the Zune HD
in sociological terms, "things that u are familiar, are more appealing to you than those that don't"🙄
this is pretty much the same stuff i've been hearing over and OVER and OVER!😱
the zune HD sucks!!!!
but hey that's my opinion....😉
I have an ipod touch
but I have no Zune HD or any Zune Device!
so in any case I will always be biased, b/c I tend to like more the ipod touch than the Zune HD
in sociological terms, "things that u are familiar, are more appealing to you than those that don't"🙄
Muncher
macrumors 65816
What?! Are you kidding me? Do you expect to hear any differences in quality through stock earbuds?
You don't own any of your music. The artists don't even own their music. An artist could get sued for distributing his music without permission of the owners (the record companies). Think you own a DRM free file? Hell no. It's just easier to "pirate" when you use it in ways not "allowed" by your license.
thegoldenmackid
macrumors 604
Oddly, it's not people being fanboys, rather it's people taking offense to what is not a fair comparison. I don't own a Zune and doubt I would ever, but it's wrong to post information like that and try to claim to have some sort of credibility.
Disagree completely. The iPod and all its lines are traditionally music players. Right at the beginning. Where on paper did Apple say that they are no longer considered music players. They are iPods. A traditional music player at heart. Just because Apple added some fun and usefulness with it, doesn't mean that iPods are no longer music players.
crackbookpro
macrumors 65816
...it seems you like the zune HD.
I think, in general, people are just used to iTunes (Apple has the market), and it is hard to go back. For some who have a ton of previous downloaded music it is a task. Plus, the app store is truly the key, and along with a much better mobile internet experience with Safari.
I hope the iPod Touch becomes more enticing sooner than later.... I may buy a Zune HD for a gift, so please keep up the feedback...
xxBURT0Nxx
macrumors 68020
Apple just clouted the touch as a gaming device at the iPod event lol... and the iPod touch does a lot of things besides play music, and some of the other iPods are getting more features that don't have to do with music (nano camera).
What the OP was saying is that in the past apple would come to market with something like the iPod, and all it really does is play music and podcasts. Now apple's devices have a ton of extra features built into them. It seems the Zune HD is more dedicated to being a music player than an all in one gaming/email/mobile web/calander/app store/iPod/etc. device.
jclardy
macrumors 601
I would go with the Zune HD if I was looking for a straight up media player and if it had mac support. If Apple implemented a subscription service similar to Zune Pass then it would probably be a toss up for me.
The thing is, I am not looking for a separate media player, I would rather have a device with a bit more utility, hence iPod Touch/iPhone.
And the browser on the Zune HD needs a lot of work. First, it is SLOW (See the engadget video here for a comparison test) It does not have tabs so you can only view one page at a time, and it doesn't render certain page elements. These can all be fixed in a software update, but to be honest as long as they are relying on the IE renderer at the core it will never be as good as any WebKit based browser.
Also the car commercial before you play a game is pretty cheesy, I would much rather have a banner ad rather than having to wait 10 seconds to open a game. Oh and the load time on apps is terrible, it takes 5 seconds to open a calculator? That is why I would recommend Zune HD only to people who are looking for a media player, and only a media player.
The thing is, I am not looking for a separate media player, I would rather have a device with a bit more utility, hence iPod Touch/iPhone.
And the browser on the Zune HD needs a lot of work. First, it is SLOW (See the engadget video here for a comparison test) It does not have tabs so you can only view one page at a time, and it doesn't render certain page elements. These can all be fixed in a software update, but to be honest as long as they are relying on the IE renderer at the core it will never be as good as any WebKit based browser.
Also the car commercial before you play a game is pretty cheesy, I would much rather have a banner ad rather than having to wait 10 seconds to open a game. Oh and the load time on apps is terrible, it takes 5 seconds to open a calculator? That is why I would recommend Zune HD only to people who are looking for a media player, and only a media player.
Gyrferret
macrumors regular
Well, you, sir, have aroused my ire. This is the REAL unbiased review....
iPod touch Pro:
Nice Screen
Multi-touch gestures that you only use for..... photos??!?!?
Unibody-esq design
SLIDE TO UNLOCK!!!!!
External Speaker....
Safair
Built in connection to diety of your choice
+3 Mac Points!
Paper weight mode
Easily user serv..... oh wait.....
logo on back!
iPod touch cons:
It got boring after a while....
It doesn't slay the Microsoft Dragon
Your Virility didn't increase
The world is still NOT in a revolution.
Zune HD Pros:
[Haven't used device]
Zune HD Cons:
[Haven't used device]
OPERA 5 MINI BETA Pros:
Dominant share of mobile market.
FASTEST AND BEST mobile Web Browser.😉
Opera 5 Mini Beta Cons:
f**k you! This is my review!
Again. I wish to say that this review is UNBIASED and based of MULTIPLE, Age-Verifiable, Country of Origin Cetrified, Organic, Non- HSTP carrying Sources....
iPod touch Pro:
Nice Screen
Multi-touch gestures that you only use for..... photos??!?!?
Unibody-esq design
SLIDE TO UNLOCK!!!!!
External Speaker....
Safair
Built in connection to diety of your choice
+3 Mac Points!
Paper weight mode
Easily user serv..... oh wait.....
logo on back!iPod touch cons:
It got boring after a while....
It doesn't slay the Microsoft Dragon
Your Virility didn't increase
The world is still NOT in a revolution.
Zune HD Pros:
[Haven't used device]
Zune HD Cons:
[Haven't used device]
OPERA 5 MINI BETA Pros:
Dominant share of mobile market.
FASTEST AND BEST mobile Web Browser.😉
Opera 5 Mini Beta Cons:
f**k you! This is my review!
Again. I wish to say that this review is UNBIASED and based of MULTIPLE, Age-Verifiable, Country of Origin Cetrified, Organic, Non- HSTP carrying Sources....
Right, yet its still an iPod Touch. "iPod" name itself is defined as a music player.
The fact that the Zune doesn't support the Mac platform makes it a non-issue for me. I would check it out as I'm a bit of a MP junkie, but haven't bothered to due to that one issue alone.
elppa
macrumors 68040
I think we have our wires crossed.
The point I was trying to make is that the Zune is focussed on music and video, whereas the iPod has a broader feature set.
Due to its focus on just these two things, Microsoft has produced a device which has some unique features which the iPod doesn't have. When listening to Music Zune HD pulls back album artwork and lyrics, whilst HD video output is supported. Not only that, the UI to navigate content on your HDTV screen is very slick.
Consultant
macrumors G5
Microsoft Zune HD vs Apple iPod touch 3G, Feature Comparison
http://obamapacman.com/2009/09/microsoft-zune-hd-vs-apple-ipod-touch-3g-feature-comparison/
Pretty long article.
http://obamapacman.com/2009/09/microsoft-zune-hd-vs-apple-ipod-touch-3g-feature-comparison/
Pretty long article.
Consultant
macrumors G5
Nope, the MS vaporware PR releases also include gaming and other apps.
However MS is unable to deliver it on launch date.
Yup. MS won't even support its own Windows Media Player with the Zune, never mind OS X.
thegoldenmackid
macrumors 604
I really wish that people would hold off until they have had equal time with both devices, in their hands.
elpmas
macrumors 68000
The Zune's differentiating features don't have mass appeal. These include HD Radio, HD output with $90 add-on and Zune Pass and 1 or 2 other features.
However if any these features really appeal to you and make or break your purchase decision then the Zune would be the one to get.
Otherwise, for the majority, Touch has it beat.
IF you just want a music player a Nano is probably more appealing.
However if any these features really appeal to you and make or break your purchase decision then the Zune would be the one to get.
Otherwise, for the majority, Touch has it beat.
IF you just want a music player a Nano is probably more appealing.
thegoldenmackid
macrumors 604
Yes, but SnowLeopard2008 has been absent from it, I still really would like to know if he spent anytime with the Zune and if so, how much.
crackbookpro
macrumors 65816
NT1440
macrumors P6
Obviously so much time that he couldn't return and post.
I don't doubt that MS actually put something nice together here, the problem is (for them anyway) that if you have such a small market presence, and rely on gimmicks mainly to sell your device, i don't think your going to take off all that well. It worries me that so many people get so excited for features that clearly are just buzzwords and not really ready for primetime (OLED will be great, will be).