Filed under: iPod Family
Zune and iPod
Jake Ludington got his hands on a Zune, and did what any self respecting iPod owner would: took some pictures of the Zune next to his iPod. The iPod pictured is one of those fancy new 80 gig models (my review of the 80 gig iPod is forthcoming). Jake reports that the Zune lighter, which isn't too shocking since the Zune has a 30 gig drive. Check out his site for more pics.
Update: Jake, it would seems, isn't an expert on weights. The 80 gig iPod clocks in at 5.5 ounces, while the 30 gig Zune is 5.6 ounces. Perhaps Jake was working out before he picked up the Zune.
[via Engadget]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hesse said 12:12PM on 10-02-2006
zune has to the be ugliest thing i have ever seen. it sorta looks like a brick. but how good could it possible be, i mean come on microsoft made it
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Navvy said 12:13PM on 10-02-2006
It really lacks the detailed finishing that make Apple products standout.
Are you sure this Zune isn't made from chocolate?
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arkowi said 12:15PM on 10-02-2006
It looks quite a bit bigger, though I do realize it has a larger screen (still same res. though). I don't want to hear anything about "once you put a case on it" either. I have an invisible shield on my iPod and you can't even tell it is there.
I think Apple needs to keep the same size and go ahead put a full 16x9 touch screen the next gen iPod. I also think they should make them out of the same material as the new Nanos (minis).
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MC said 12:25PM on 10-02-2006
Blech. The Zune is worse than I even expected. The plastic looks unbelievably cheap, plus the thing is so thick.
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James said 12:37PM on 10-02-2006
I'm extremely underwhelmed at the effort Microsoft put into that Zune. Looks like it was crafted from clay. Then again, they were probably too busy deciding what other features to cut out of Vista so they can get it out before 2008 starts.... Looks like they've done a truly MICROSOFT job with this product. I would uust like to piint out that in the Zune owners report, he claims the iPod is marginally thinner. Marginally. When you are talking about devices that are 1.2cm thick, 4mm actually means QUITE A BIT OF DIFFERENCE!! Sure maybe in car lengths a few mm is marginal but here, its just foolish talk. Also, the controls for the Zune look stupid and ill thought out. Yet again, looks like its made out of clay. Controls look only big enough for Japanese children's hands. Might I also mention, perhaps the Zune weighs less because its made out of cheap nasty plastic rather than a polished metal, and only has a 30GB hard drive.
What a poor offering.
Hang your heads in shame Microsoft. The noose awaits. Also, have fun MAKING MONEY with your Zune as well hahahahaha.
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Brandon Walkin said 12:41PM on 10-02-2006
I'll repost what I posted about this at Digg:
It's pretty obvious that the person who wrote this article has a Zune bias and intended to downplay the size and weight differences. Here's how I know:
1) He compared a 30 GB Zune to an 80 GB iPod. If he compared it to a 30 GB iPod we would see just how much thinner the iPod is than the Zune.
2) The photo with the Zune and the iPod side by side with the caption "Zune comes in just barely longer than the iPod" was taken to decieve the viewer. The iPod is centered to the middle of the Zune, so it appears that the length differences on the top and bottom are trivial. He should have lined up the bottom of both devices for an accurate visual comparison.
3) He says "The Zune weighs considerably less than the iPod". The Zune is 5.6 oz and the 80 GB iPod is 5.5 oz. So the Zune is actually heavier than the 80 GB iPod. The 30 GB iPod weighs less than both of them at 4.8 oz.
I don't think it's a stretch to say that this article is pro-Zune propaganda.
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david said 12:48PM on 10-02-2006
Do we have to have coverage of Zune and/or Vista on TUAW? What do they have to do with Apple?
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Ed said 12:54PM on 10-02-2006
They're competition...
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Splashman said 12:56PM on 10-02-2006
Um, Scott, would it be too much to ask for you to check the easily-available specs *before* posting? This is the same mistake newspapers make all the time -- quoting sources without even an attempt at fact-checking.
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Scott McNulty said 1:03PM on 10-02-2006
Unlike newspapers, blogs can quickly update errors on posts, as I have done here. No harm, no foul.
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Ed said 1:12PM on 10-02-2006
I agree with Splashman, part of the benefit of running your own site is that you can have some control over what you post. As such, exercise that and check the validity (within reason) of what you're posting first. It only makes the site look unprofessional.
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Brendan said 1:13PM on 10-02-2006
Seen as Brandon Walkin reposted his digg post, I'll repost my engadget post.
"This whole thing is a complete shambles!!
Forget about the 80Gb entirely, that's right completely forget about it altogether!
Now! Compare the the 30GB iPod with the zune, why? Well because the Zune is 30GB too. And both of them are the same price.
What do you get?
With the 30GB iPod you get a more intuitive, more minimilist player, with a more intuitive and more minimilist interface. You also get a "MUCH" slimmer more sleek, more stylish, more iconic player, with better integration with its native software, iTunes. Which in turn has much more store music, better jukebox software, and movies too, with the best way to listen to podcast ever. And you get you full music library in your pockat.
With the Zune you get a fresh, different looking alternative, with bigger screen. You get a decent looking, more customizable and reasonably easy-to-use UI, but nothing as simple as the iPod's minimalist/Clickwheel set-up. You get a store that has less content, and is less appealing. You get cool WiFi sharing capabilities, where you can share your music or get your friends for 3 days or 3plays, but you may lack a friend to share with.
With a forceful push you may get your msuic collection in your pocket, but it will most likely be difficult to fit the Zune in most pokceks (jeans).
There you have it, enjoy!"
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Ed said 1:13PM on 10-02-2006
Scott: as you're actually reading this and clearly nobody reads the "problems" report page, how do I register on here so I don't have to verify every comment I make?
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Scott McNulty said 1:25PM on 10-02-2006
We do read the problem emails, though I haven't had a chance to respond to it! The password feature is coming soon.
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nuflux said 2:06PM on 10-02-2006
Ha! Read the comments. Engadget's own users are now calling them out for their not-so-unbiased reporting on the Zune.
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Reg said 9:10PM on 10-02-2006
I saw Ludington's blog when it first appeared on Techmeme, and out of curiosity clicked through all the blogs that had linked to it.
It's amazing how many times the phrase "weighs considerably less" was repeated.
I thought it funny as it was as if the self-appointed Zune lovers were grasping as straws to find a good selling point, downplaying the fact that it looks and feels like cheap plastic.
This is just the beginning though: apparently Microsoft has earmarked $100+ million on a "grassroots" advertising campaign.
I believe they intend to own the blogosphere when it comes to Zune commentary, so expect to here a lot more of this stuff.
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Ed said 9:31PM on 10-02-2006
Scott: Great, I'm getting fed up of checking my mail every time I make a comment! Particularly annoying when I only have access to webmail... Sorry for bugging you about it - I know it (and the annoying adverts you have on here) frequently annoys people!
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Eystein said 4:35AM on 10-03-2006
My bet is this http://www.zunescene.com/ (warning: embedded windows media. May freeze ur browser.) is part of they're $100.000.000 campaign. Those Redmond photocopyers must be running hot!
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Michelle said 8:02PM on 11-26-2006
No one has pointed out the obvious size illusion of the larger zune being black and the smaller ipod being white...any lady or artist can tell you that black tends to make things look smaller (butts, or electronics) and white tends to make them look bigger
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