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| Zune 30 GB Digital Media Player (Brown) | 
 enlarge | Brand: Zune
Category: CE
List Price: $199.99
Buy New: $159.95
You Save: $40.04 (20%)
New (6) Used (10) Refurbished (1) from $120.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  1505 reviews
Sales Rank: 1669
Format: Cd
Platform: Windows
Color: Brown
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Display Size: 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 2.5 x 0.7 x 4.8
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: JS8-00003
Model: JS8-00003
UPC: 840356572352
EAN: 0882224274579
ASIN: B000H0QDCC
Release Date: November 14, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 ****Here's a review from a REAL Zune buyer...not some iFanboy**** November 15, 2006
18 out of 69 found this review helpful
I'm no tech-genious and I'm not a MS fanboy either, but the Zune has been a good buy so far for me. Sure it's a little bigger than a fraking ipod, but it's not that noticeable. Another good thing is the screen. It's bright and crisp(from what I've seen so far). The earbuds are the most comfortable I've ever worn...I dont know if anyone else cares, but I sure do. I'm not sure how it compares in weight to the pod, but its NOT THAT heavy. The software worked flawlessly for me, in that it automatically imported all of my music, vid's and pic's during the initial setup. I can't compare it with iTunes, because I've never really worked with it. Overall it's a good product and I would recommend it to anyone who's looking for a good player.
I just got one!!! November 15, 2006
15 out of 28 found this review helpful
First off i want to start off by saying that i have owned a creative vision m mp3 player as well as numerous other ones, but none have compared to the zune that i just picked up. I like the fact that it doesn't get your fingerprints all over it like the creative or the ipod video does. Also downloading and transfering music and videos with the software are easier than any other program out there. Also you can subscribe to download as much music as you want without having to pay a dollar a song like itunes, thats a big plus for me. Add in all the accesories coming out for it, theres just no competition in my book.
To all those saying theres bugs and stuff are full of it. mine works great and looks awesome as well. Plus no ipod user can compete with this screen. Two thumbs up in my book!!!
Redefine Refined. November 15, 2006
23 out of 62 found this review helpful
Rarely do you see a product from Microsoft that isn't subject to a barrage of heavily (and I do mean _heavily_) biased reviews, comparing it to other products and services that typically doing whatever Microsoft's products do, only better. Look at the so-called "credible" reviewers working for the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Whatever happened to journalist standard of forming and supporting a credible and unbiased opinion? Perhaps if you set the competition aside (or look at it on less subjective and comparative scale) you will be able to grasp a fair review of a product. But may I say that even the Zune does not require this formality, for it is a capable, stable, and solid product in nearly every regard.
Having been looking forward to the November 14th release date for a while now, it was safe to say that I was overjoyed when the day finally came. After getting up in the morning, eating a quick breakfast, showering, and heading off to my single class for the day, it finally hit me that today would be the day that I would experience the Zune first-hand. Certainly the harsh words put out by the big-league review columnists couldn't be completely true, right?
Come 10 AM, and there I was standing at the local Circuit City, eager to finally get my hands on the product. After corralling a service rep to fetch one from the display case, making the choice of Black for color, checking out, getting back in the car, driving home, and getting upstairs to my computer, the time that I had longed for finally came to fruition.
The first thing you'll get with Zune is the brown package. The box itself is fairly small, and is opened by pulling the top off from the bottom. Once open, you will be greeted with the phrase "Welcome to the Social," on the side of the inner box. Open a the flip-out side panel, and you will see your Zune for the first time, nestled in an indentation in the packaging. A brown cord allows you to dislodge the Zune from the packaging, and two more flip-out panels to the left and right of the Zune house the magnetic black ear buds, and the sync USB cable. Another opening at the top houses a small instructional guide, software, and other papers, along with a carrying pouch. Overall, the packaging is nice, and allows you to get to your product fairly quickly. The instructions are very simple, and you won't have much of a problem figuring them out. The carrying pouch, however, is too small and tight-fitting, and seems to be provided to prevent damage from scratches, rather than impacts.
Installing the software doesn't take too long, and after a restart, you are prompted to plug in the device. You will be given the opportunity to name the device, and you will then be guided to setting up a Zunetag account. I haven't yet set up any online service with the device yet, so I cannot comment on how well the Zune store functions. The device will automatically synchronize your music the first time out, with the option of synchronizing your pictures and videos as well. The process went fairly fast, and any additional syncs after the initial load are quick. The Zune software itself seems to be derived heavily from Windows Media Player 11, as the album-based libraries and options dialog will suggest, and everything fits well and is laid out in a practical manner. While some may be turned off by the fact that you can't just use Windows Media Player for adding music, it should be noted that you would require a new piece of software anyway if you want to upgrade your devices software when it is updated.
Once all of your media is loaded, it's on to the Zune itself. Physically, the device is tall, as to accommodate its 3-inch QVGA display, and is semi-thick; no thicker than the size of a small-medium cell phone. The device is finished in a rubbery matte finish that feels very sturdy and lays true on a flat surface. The button layout and functionality is well designed, and the only problem you will have navigating the exceptionally streamlined and intuitive menu system is accidentally pressing the center button instead of up on the directional circle, as they are both finished smooth and shiny. The portrait-based display is very efficient for displaying lists of albums, songs, or play lists, and the album-art centric Now Playing screen also features an thoughtful layout, showing you the pertinent information to your current song. Video and picture playback forces the device into landscape mode, rotating the screen 90 degrees counter-clockwise. This allows you to take full advantage of the large screen when viewing said media.
While the Wifi's state in the device is virtually crippled, it is reassuring to know that it may very well be taken advantage of in a more practical fashion through future software updates. The sharing feature is nice in theory, but the limitations that are imposed even on non-copy protected music seems a bit excessive, especially for elusive tracks that won't be easily found on online music stores.
The FM Radio feature is a very nice addition, and the display of track and station information is incredibly nice and useful. Reception won't be without occasional static, but overall it is very consistent and distortion-free. While you cannot record live radio as you can with other players, the ability to view track information is a near-exclusive feature and is very valuable.
Overall, playback is smooth and uninterrupted by jostles and bumps, and the menu system is responsive and polished. Audio quality is top-notch, with all levels of audio - bass, midrange, and treble - reproduced accurately and crisply. The unit allows for several equalizer presets, and each one has a unique sound to it. The absence of a bass-boost feature may seem like a loss, but you'll be surprised by the amount of kick you receive by the default settings that you'll learn to not miss such a feature. Video playback is also smooth, but while I haven't encountered a problem yet, you may be prone to skipping or momentary pauses due to excessive bumping or movement, since the device is not solid-state.
The device, while larger than other players on the market, holds a presentable, professional and refined look. The physical integrity (yet curiously lightweight construction) of the case only bolsters the units longevity and standout power. The semi-transparent case with a "double-shot" of color looks very cool in person, and the unit definitely stands out among the sea of white-colored devices. It is also a magnet for popularity at the office, as one person tells another person, who tells two other people about your new Zune...and they all try to use the directional-pad as a touch pad for some reason...
My only gripes about the device come from the people who brush it aside under the veil of being a Microsoft product. Microsoft isn't printed on the device for a good reason: it's unlike any other Microsoft product you will have ever used. The intuitive interface is easy and fun to use, the synchronization is fast and seamless, and the product's longevity through software updates gives you reassurance that even though it is a first-generation product, you won't be sorry when they announce a software breakthrough.
I personally recommend the device for those seeking a competent, well-rounded media player. The combination of easy-to-use software and superb playback is a major strong point of the device, and the Wifi feature, while limited now, will most definitely come into play in more useful ways in the near future. The only shortcomings of the device are limited format support, and the need for separate software and drivers to make the unit work on a computer. In the end, the product is a positive mark for Microsoft's Zune initiative, and if the goals of the product are anything like that of the Xbox, then we may have a product with some serious competitive power in a very short time.
 What was I thinking!! November 15, 2006
46 out of 78 found this review helpful
While I'm not very techy person, I like owning cool gadgets and admit to have spent a good chunk of money on them in my lifetime. So with all the hype around this Zune thing, I had to get one. Close to 300 bucks later, I have my gadget, sitting in my home office desk. But did I get any cool-factor joy for the price?
No sir. For starters, here's my quick findings:
Its huge. What sort of baggy-pants were part of the group testing this product? And you get the same 30G for that extra bulk - where's the progress?
Screen seems less brighter/sharper than I expected, especially in unfavorable lighting.
Center button looks like a circular scroll wheel but isn't - its a fake (just a cheap 4-corner version).
Installation is slow and has a lot of steps with corny pictures of people I don't care about.
I still don't understand why I can't use American dollars to buy songs, instead of these "points". Seems like its a ploy to make me spend more money, like casinos with the chips that don't feel like real money.
I could go on and on, but I don't think its worth the effort... I'm sure I'll find some glitches and more gripes over the next few days. Or maybe I'll just put it back in the wrapping and wait for a "re-gift" opportunity.
Not even close November 15, 2006
40 out of 64 found this review helpful
I checked out the Zune today at Best Buy. I already have two ipods so was just wondering how the Zune compared. I tried to keep an open mind but this thing isn't even close to the refinement of the Ipod or other MP3 players. They had the black and brown Zune on display. Yikes, that brown is uuuuuugly.
The wheel and buttons felt cheap and the over all look seemed cheap. The only nice thing is the screen.
Size wise the Zune is too big in my opinion. It is the size of my original 5 Gig ipod that came out in 2001. The 30 gig ipod is so much thinner and feels more refined.
I can't speak for the music store but Itunes is so good I can't imagine it being any better.
While I was there nobody even noticed the Zune. No big MS marketing materials pointing people to the Zune. Just two lonely Zunes that didn't stand out at all to the other many MP3's, let alone the Ipod. In fact, one of the Zunes had an error on it and wouldn't turn on. It just kept flashing a battery icon as if the unit did not see the battery. MS has a way to go before people will even look at this thing. When I was there a lady came up and said the the Best Buy guy, I'm looking for a 30 gig MP3 for my son's bday and he wants and Ipod. The guy never even suggested the Zune and so she bought her Ipod and went on her way. I think this will be typical of this holiday season. Most consumers want an Ipod and that is about it. Some people will get it for the screen size but for me, I'd rather wait for the larger screen Ipods to come out.
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