Zune 30 GB Review (Page 1 of 4 )
In 2006, Microsoft introduced its latest attempt to take over the field from the iPod, with the Zune 30 GB. On the surface, this MP3 player looks good, and the specifications look good also. Does it have what it takes to push the iPod off the mountain? Keep reading.
Introduction
The Zune 30 GB has a look similar to that of the Apple iPod 80GB, but it is a tad larger. I would say, though, that this MP3 player is a work in progress. I think that Microsoft has taken a big step in the right direction to overtake the crown as king of the MP3 players from Apple.
It seems that the Zune, although a great player with great features, has to make some adjustments to successors of the 30GB model in order to really take a big chunk of the market share from companies like Apple. You will see what I mean as you continue through this review. I by no means am saying this this is not a good MP3 player, because it is. I just think that Microsoft needs to tie off a few ends in order to take this player to the next level. New updates are expected to be on the way which will take care of some of these loose ends, and these updates will be able to be downloaded via the Internet through the included software.
The player is very competitively priced at an MSRP of $249.99, although I have seen it online for around $200. This price is very similar that of other 30GB players such as the Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW and the Creative Zen Vision:M 30GB. When the Zune is compared to these other MP3 players, I think the Zune has the brightest future out of the three.
I like the Zune's WiFi capabilities, and I think that it is this technology that will help Zune distinguish itself from its competitors. The WiFi capabilities do need to be expanded, but once they are expanded in the future, watch out, because the Zune may take over as the best MP3 player available on the market.
Next: Design and Cosmetics >>
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