My Zune experience
Zune sucks. After an incident which left me without my favorite iRiver H340, I needed to get something. Quickly. Because the podcasts don't wait until I get something to listen them on, they just get published! I was determined to get something from Costco just because I did not know what I wanted (and I had no time to do the research), so I wanted to be able to return it. iPod was not an option because of iTunes, and plus -- it's useful, but... I don't know, it just does not feel right. Here are the things I loved about H340:
-- manage my files on my own (no need to have software).
-- large storage capacity.
-- being able to plug it in to any computer and access the information.
iPod does not do anything like that from out of the box (well, besides the large storage capacity -- but I still can't use it without tweaking things around!), so I needed something else. Out of all choices on Costco's site, I chose to go with a Zune. It's not a bad player, I did not even think of needing to be able to play videos before, but it sure is nice to even listen to dnrTV while driving. The interface is ok, I don't care about wireless, the battery seems ok too, but those features that I outlined above are very critical. So the Zune goes back to the store. Oh, by the way, had I read all comments on Engadget, I would not have even bothered getting a Zune, I would go with something like Sansa (cheaper and does what I want). On September 1st, Archos 605 is coming out. Another alternative that I consider is Cowon Q5.
One more thing I loved about H340: it had a regular USB cable, so finding a replacement was very easy. Zune has a proprietary connector, so I can't get a cheap replacement, I have to go through Microsoft to get this very important spare part (or AC adapter. Or a spare cable. Or a case.)
So anyway -- Zune is not for me. I don't want to be a part of that social hype that they target the device for. I want a robust piece of hardware that would easily play tunes and easily store files. Zune wouldn't do it. Oh well... New gadget!!!
-- manage my files on my own (no need to have software).
-- large storage capacity.
-- being able to plug it in to any computer and access the information.
iPod does not do anything like that from out of the box (well, besides the large storage capacity -- but I still can't use it without tweaking things around!), so I needed something else. Out of all choices on Costco's site, I chose to go with a Zune. It's not a bad player, I did not even think of needing to be able to play videos before, but it sure is nice to even listen to dnrTV while driving. The interface is ok, I don't care about wireless, the battery seems ok too, but those features that I outlined above are very critical. So the Zune goes back to the store. Oh, by the way, had I read all comments on Engadget, I would not have even bothered getting a Zune, I would go with something like Sansa (cheaper and does what I want). On September 1st, Archos 605 is coming out. Another alternative that I consider is Cowon Q5.
One more thing I loved about H340: it had a regular USB cable, so finding a replacement was very easy. Zune has a proprietary connector, so I can't get a cheap replacement, I have to go through Microsoft to get this very important spare part (or AC adapter. Or a spare cable. Or a case.)
So anyway -- Zune is not for me. I don't want to be a part of that social hype that they target the device for. I want a robust piece of hardware that would easily play tunes and easily store files. Zune wouldn't do it. Oh well... New gadget!!!
Labels: gadgets hardware
posted by Eugene at
10:32 AM
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