Microsoft Zune

Reviews: Multimedia

Microsoft Zune

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Bradford Day
Kurtis
Microsoft
Mar. 6, 2007

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Conclusion

I'll get straight to it! Should you buy a Zune? Well of course that decision will have to be based on several factors. I will approach this from 3 different scenarios. First, I'll start with myself, naturally. I'm the sort of MP3 user that will rarely, if ever, purchase pop music from a site like iTunes or Zune Marketplace. I get my MP3s from smaller commercial iOutlets and they don't contain any DRM voodoo. Alternatively I buy CDs direct from the artist's website, through eBay or other online distributors and occasionally my local record shop, which I then rip to my digital music server.

At first I sound like someone who wouldn't benefit greatly from the Zune and its corresponding e-store. But to the contrary, if all I ever used the Zune for is loading my cheaper, non-Marketplace music onto the player I'm actually coming out ahead. Why? Because I can avoid the horrid mess that is the Zune Marketplace. A points system? Surely you must be joking. What a ridiculous implementation for end users. But, if I can avoid Microsoft's inept delivery system, the player is actually quite good at doing what it was designed to do. The music sounds great (better than my Sansa e260) and I personally think it has a unique and simple design!even if it steals a few cues from the pod.

The second scenario to consider is that of the music renter. If you are the sort of music lover that only wants to listen to popular music for a short while until something else tickles your fancy, the Zune Pass system might be your ticket. Unlimited music for $14.99 a month isn't too shabby, provided the limited Microsoft store stocks something you like. For those of you who can truly say "I like all types of music," MP3 rental services were created just for you. Download anything and everything and give it a try. Full albums or one hit wonders, it matters not. Another plus to renting music is that if your hard drive crashes you won't lose your music files and be out a truckload of money. Just reload the lost music and go about your merry way. And you avoid the #$%^ point system. So the Zune, again, would serve the needs of this particular end user.

But what if you actually intend to buy your music from the Microsoft Zune Marketplace? In case you missed something in the above dozen or so paragraphs or have just starting reading this review beginning with this sentence, let me reiterate something. For you the consumer, the Zune Marketplace makes about as much sense as using a tissue paper umbrella in a hurricane. Even if we give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt and concede that their neophytic e-store is bound to have a smaller selection, their ludicrous Microsoft Points system is just too much to ignore.

Obviously Microsoft hopes to cross market to Xbox 360 owners in an attempt to synergize two disparate entertainment platforms. Realistically the problem lies in the fact that around 4.5-5 million Xbox 360s have sold in the U.S. Even if half of those Xbox 360 owners buy a Zune (currently available only in the U.S.) there is little sense in creating a system that caters to such a small fraction of customers!especially if you want to come close to selling as many Zunes in a quarter as Apple sells iPods (which will never happen). It's sad, but in my opinion the Zune works best without its e-store counterpart. Toss in the fact that Microsoft's own PlaysForSure doesn't PlayAtAll on the Zune and we're quickly approaching the last nail in Microsoft's e-commerce coffin.

I imagine in the months to come, Microsoft will push some firmware updates and increase the usability of the Zune to allow games, data storage, podcast subscription support and maybe even do away with the 3 day, 3 play rule implemented with the sharing!maybe a sort of eye opening service pack 2 usability upgrade a la Windows 2000. Who knows, maybe the Microsoft Point system will be expanded to include other Microsoft product lines or maybe even include PlaysForSure services.

As it stands now the Zune is a pretty face without an agent. I did truly like the interface, sound quality and large screen. But the lack of a solid music store will hurt the computing giant's ability to compete with the iPod. My advice if you want to add a little brown to your wardrobe? Find a new or used Zune for a price below MSRP, buy your music from an outside source (or rent it) and avoid the Marketplace. It might not be the new white but it's not as bad as you think.

Pros

Large, scratch resistant color screen
Good sound quality
Intuitive interface
Includes FM radio and video playback
I'm down with brown, baby

Cons

Ridiculous Zune Marketplace points system
PlaysForSure doesn't PlayAtAll
Mediocre battery life
A bit heavy and clunky (compared to you-know-who's player)

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Page 1: Introduction & First Looks
Page 2: Testing: Software
Page 3: Testing: Hardware
Page 4: Testing: Daily Usage
Page 5: Conclusion

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