GeneralGPS

Ipod Classic or Zune 80? Which one should I get?

I'm joining the military and I need to get rid of my bulky CD collection and get a small device. Note: I want to be able to take it on air craft carriers with me, so it can't be a device with GPS or such like the iPhone that would give away the ship's location. I'm torn between the Ipod Classic and the Zune 80. Here's what features are important to me: ~ Ability to get songs from CD to Ipod/Zune (via a desktop computer) and backup music to a computer ~ Cost of each song/video/subscription ~ Cost, quality, and availability of accesories (for example, if Zune accesories are hard to come by, or they're pieces of junk, that's not good) ~ Durability and Quality in both hardwear and softwear (no glitches or need of constant repair) ~ Video (and I would like details about this one. Can you get entire movies on your Ipod/Zune? I love the screen size of the Zune, but I'm told that the images are grainy or something?) ~ Pictures (not that big of a deal) OR... I could get an iPod Touch. Errr! So many options! lol

Public Comments

1. The iPod classic i believe is better with much futures than the zune.
2. iPod classic... zune can sometimes run out of power for no reason and the only feature it has the an ipod doesn't is that it has an FM radio. ipods have games too.
3. OK...I'll try to answer each question: 1- Yes, you can rip songs from CDs using both software. However, Zune software sucks for this. I suggest you use Windows Media Player for ripping CDs. 2- Each song on iTunes is .99 cents. Not sure about videos, I think music videos are $1.99, and movies are about 10 dollars. It's almost the same thing on Zune Marketplace, but they don't have movies. They do however, have a Zune pass, where for 15 dollars a month, you can download as much music as you want. Not videos. Also, once you cancel your subscription, all your songs are pretty much dead. If you don't care about legalities, you can use P2P software, such as LimeWire, FrostWire, Ares, etc., to get free music/videos. However, some of the files on the P2P network contain viruses, so download with caution. 3- Both cost $249 for 80GB. An iPod Classic 160GB is 100 bucks more. I think the Zune is better quality, but an iPod is easier to use, and Zune is a little bit more buggy (considering it's only been out for a little over a year). When it comes to accessories, iPod blows the Zune out of the water. If you go to a store, there is a whole aisle for iPod things, and a little corner for Zune things. Very hard to find Zune accessories. But, you can get good accessories from amazon.com, so if you are willing to order online, this shouldn't be a problem. 4- Zune is much more durable than the iPod. Both use a hard drive, so you have to be extra careful, since a hard drive contains moving parts, and a drop can destory a hard drive. iPods are less durable than Zunes, and get scratched up more easily. 5- As I said before, the Zune software (and hardware, as a matter of fact), contains a few glitches, certainly more than the iPod. Only complaint I've heard about the new iPod classic is that the user interface is extremely slow. I've had my Zune for about 3 months, and the device has been fine. The software however is a nightmare. If you find yourself using the software a lot, get an iPod. 6- Video playback is actually very good on the Zune, depending on the codecs, bit rate, etc. The quality of the movies depend on the source. Now, I said before, there are no movies in Zune marketplace. But, you can rip movies from DVDs, and there are sites to download free movies. Here is one: http://www.freewebs.com/all-zune/moviedownloads.htm Since the Zune has a bigger screen, and takes advantage of it by playing movies horizontally, it has better video playback. Zune has features like Wireless sync, Wireless sharing between Zunes, and FM radio..But since you are using it on a plane mostly, I don't think that would matter. Oh, and about pictures, both can view them. Zunes can view them horizontally, so it's a bit better.
4. Definitely get a Zune. I prefer Zunes over iPod because: 1. Better support - All Zune devices get the same update. Whether it was v1, or 2.0, they all get the same support. Apple doesn't give the same update to all their music players however. 2. Bigger screen - Compare the small squinty iPod screen to a large Zune screen. Much better for videos. 3. durability - My Zune has lasted with me since last December of 06'. Most iPod users by 2-3 every year. 4. scratch-less - I have never seen any significant scratches on my Zune. However, there are numerous on my iPods. 5. Better UI - where as iPod's is rather stiff, Zune's have a virtual 2D UI, that's rather impressive. It's easy and quik to navigate on. 6. FM Radio - like local news? talk radio? concert ticket contests? new music? Zune has radio. iPod doesn't. 7. Personalize it - You can change the background image, get a case, or even do laser engraving with neat background art at Zune Originals: https://zuneoriginals.net/ 8. Subscription service "option" - If you're not a big fan of buying music individually, then subscription is for you. For one flat monthly fee, you can have as much access as to any music you want on Zune Marketplace. It's like "renting" music for a month. About $15. Or you could buy songs individually. 9. better integration with the Xbox 360 - the new Zune update will promise better integration with the Xbox 360 than the iPod. 10. View in landscape mode - you can see videos and pictures on landscape mode, so it's like a widescreen. 11. Better included headphones - where the iPod's headphones have horrible quality, the ones with Zune aren't so bad. They even have a magnetic clip. 12. WiFi - you can share music, videos, podcasts, and many things with it. 13. WiFi sync - you can sync to your computer without connecting it! 14. Same price as iPods - Same price as regular iPods of the same specs, but includes more bang for your buck. 15. Zune Social - share music with your friends with your Zunes and online. Discover new music and share your music knowledge everywhere : http://social.zune.net/ 16. Sync with Windows Media Center - sync recorded TV shows onto your Zune device 17. Zune software is MUCH more simpler than iTunes - give it a try for free to see : http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunes... (retail cost) Zune 4 : $150 Zune 8 : $200 Zune 30 : $199 Zune 80 : $249 Give Zune a look at : http://zune.net/