Apple iPod vs. Microsoft Zune Comparison
Apple iPod or Microsoft Zune?
The Apple iPod is not the only Mp3 player worthy of your consideration. There are plenty of other players you should put on your shortlist beside the iPod -- namely, some solid devices from iriver, Creative and Archos -- but is the Microsoft Zune worthy of being added to that list?
We're of two minds: one saying "maybe" and the other, "no."
The case for "maybe"... the Microsoft Zune has a number of features that the iPod simply lacks, and if one or more of the following interests you, the Zune might actually meet your needs better than the iPod: integrated FM tuner, ability to share songs with friends (albeit temporarily), ability to subscribe to a music service with unlimited downloads.
Now the case for "no"... To our eyes, the Zune just looks bulky and incredibly "uncool." You won't turn any heads in school, the mall or airport when you pull the Zune from your pocket. Also, consider the track record of Microsoft vs. Apple... one company is notorious for hardware crashes and system incompatibilities, while the other wrote the book on reliability.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you, and we encourage you to do further homework. Check out our Mp3 Player Test to determine which player is the right one for you, and consult the below spec charts of the Zune vs. the iPod.
Category | Zune | iPod 30GB |
Storage | 30 GB | 30 GB |
Wi-Fi | YES | none |
File Sharing | YES | none |
FM Tuner | YES | none |
Preloaded Audio | YES | none |
Preloaded Video | YES | none |
Battery Life | 14 hrs | 14 hrs |
Custom Background | YES | none |
Screen Size | 3" | 2.5" |
USB | 2.0 | 2.0 |
Colors | White, Black, Brown, Baby Pink | White, Black |
Scroll Wheel | none | YES |
Tactile Control | YES | none |
Online Service | Zune Marketplace | iTunes |
Model | Monthly Subscription | Pay Per Song |
Podcast Playback | YES | YES |
Battery | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
Weight | 5.6 ounces | 4.8 ounces |
Width | 2.4" | 2.4" |
Height | 4.4" | 4.1" |
Depth | 0.58" | 0.43" |
Compatibility | PC | Mac, PC |
Replaceable Batteries | NO | NO |
Headphones | earbud | earbud |
File Compatibility
Format | Zune | iPod |
MP3 | YES | YES |
DIVX | YES ** | NO |
iTunes (Protected) | NO | YES |
Zune Marketplace (Protected) | YES | NO |
Plays For Sure (Protected) | NO | NO |
AAC | YES | YES |
WMA | YES | NO |
AIFF | NO | YES |
WAV (uncompressed) | NO | YES |
.aa (Audible) | NO | YES |
JPEG (Photos) | YES | YES |
BMP (Photos) | NO | YES |
WMV (Video) | YES | NO |
MPEG-4 (Video) | YES | YES |
H.264 (Video) | YES | YES |
HDTVs
LCD Comparisons
How does this set stack up against top HDTVs?
LCD HDTVs:
- Olevia 747i 47"
- Olevia 252T FHD 52"
- Olevia 265T FHD 65"
- Samsung LN-32A550 32"
- Samsung LN-32A650 32"
- Samsung LN-37A550 37"
- Samsung LN-40A450 40"
- Samsung LN-40A530 40"
- Samsung LN-40A550P 40"
- Samsung LN-40A650A 40"
- Samsung LN-40A750R 40"
- Samsung LN-46A530 46"
- Samsung LN-46A550P 46"
- Samsung LN-46A650A 46"
- Samsung LN-46A750R 46"
- Samsung LN-52A530 52"
- Samsung LN-52A550P 52"
- Samsung LN-52A650A 52"
- Samsung LN-52A750R 52"
- Sharp Aquos LC37GP1U
- Sharp Aquos LC46D62U
- Sharp Aquos LC46D82U
- Sharp Aquos LC46D92U
- Sharp Aquos LC52D62U
- Sharp Aquos LC52D64U
- Sharp Aquos LC52D92U
- Sharp Aquos LC52SE94U 52"
- Sharp Aquos LC65D64U
- Sharp Aquos LC65D93U 65"
- Sony KDL-40V2500 40" Bravia
- Sony KDL-40V3000 40" Bravia
- Sony KDL-40W3000 40" Bravia
- Sony KDL-40XBR4 40" Bravia
- Sony KDL-40XBR5 40" Bravia
- Sony KDL-46S2010 46" Bravia
- Sony KDL-46S3000 46" Bravia
- Sony KDL-46V2500 46" Bravia
- Sony KDL-46V3000 46" Bravia
- Sony KDL-46W3000 46" Bravia
- Sony KDL-46W4100 46" Bravia
- Sony KDL-46XBR4 46" Bravia
- Sony KDL-46XBR5 46" Bravia
- Sony KDL-46Z4100 46" Bravia
- Sony KDL-52W3000 52" Bravia
- Sony KDL-52W4100 52" LCD
- Sony KDL-52XBR5 52" Bravia
- Toshiba REGZA 42HL167 42"
- Toshiba REGZA 42LX177 42"
- Toshiba REGZA 47HL167 47"
- Toshiba REGZA 52HL167 52"
- Toshiba REGZA 52LX177 52"
- Toshiba REGZA 52LX177 52"
- Toshiba REGZA 52RV530U 52"
- MORE LCD HDTVS
PLASMA HDTVs:
- Panasonic TH-42PZ85U 42"
- Panasonic TH-42PZ800U 42"
- Panasonic TH-46PZ85U 46"
- Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ800U 46"
- Panasonic TH-50PX60U 50"
- Panasonic TH-50PX75U 50"
- Panasonic TH-50PX77U 50"
- Panasonic TH-50PZ700U 50"
- Panasonic TH-58PZ700U 50"
- Panasonic TH-50PZ750U 50"
- Panasonic TH-50PZ85U 50"
- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 50"
- Panasonic TH-50PZ850U 50"
- Panasonic TH-58PZ750U 50"
- Panasonic TH-65PZ750U 65" Plasma
- Pioneer PDP4270HD 42"
- Pioneer PDP4280HD 42"
- Pioneer PDP5010FD 50"
- Pioneer PDP5080HD 50"
- Pioneer PDP6010FD 60"
- Pioneer PDP6020FD 60"
- Pioneer PDP6070HD 60"
- Samsung FP-T5094 50"
- Samsung FP-T5884 50"
- Samsung FP-T5894 50" Plasma
- Samsung FP-T6374 63"
- Samsung PN-42A450 42"
- Samsung PN-50A450 50"
- Samsung PN-50A550 50"
- Samsung PN-50A650 50"
- Samsung PN-58A550 58"
- Samsung PN-58A650 58"
- MORE PLASMA HDTVS
DLP and PROJECTION HDTVs:
- Samsung HL-T5687S 56"
- Samsung HL-T5689S 56" LED
- Samsung HL-T6187S 61" LED
- Samsung HL-T6189S 61" LED
- Sony Bravia SXRD KDS-50A3000
- Sony Bravia SXRD KDS-55A3000
- Sony Bravia SXRD KDS-60A3000
- MORE... Full list of HDTVs
MP3 Players
- Apple iPod Nano 4 GB Review
- Apple iPod touch 16 GB Review
- Apple iPod nano 8 GB, 2nd Generation
- Apple iPod vs Microsoft Zune Comparison
- iriver clix 4 GB Mp3 Player (CXW-4G)
- Apple iPod with Video, 80 GB, 5.5 Gen
- Take the MP3 Player Test
- Find Coupons and Savings Offers for iPods and More
Cameras
- Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1 MP
- Sony DCR-DVD108 Handycam Camcorder
- Sony DCR-SR42 Handycam Camcorder
- Sony DCR-SR82 Handycam Camcorder
- Sony DCR-SR200 Handycam Camcorder
- Sony HDR-CX7 AVCHD Handycam Camcorder
- Sony HDR-SR5 AVCHD Handycam Camcorder
- Sony HDR-SR7 AVCHD Handycam Camcorder
- Olympus Stylus 750
- Sony Unveils Handycam HDR-CX7
FEATURED SITE:
Comparisons and Specs for...
- Samsung LN40A450 40" LCD
- Samsung LN46A650 LCD
- Samsung LN52A550 52" LCD
- Samsung LN52A750 52" LCD
- Samsung LN-T4071F 40" LCD
- Samsung LNT4671F LCD
- Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR4 LCD
- Samsung LNT4069FX LCD
- Panasonic Viera TH46PZ85U Plasma
- Pioneer KURO PDP-6010FD Plasma
- Pioneer KURO PDP-5010FD Plasma
- Samsung LN-T4681F 46" LCD
- Samsung HL-T6187S 61" DLP
