Pros: Pretty good player, solid build, got a bargain, long battery life, decent music selection
Cons: Horrible software (from a software company!), limited and pricey accessories, unecessary "points" system
The Bottom Line: This is a pretty good player with substandard software. MS should get the bugs worked out of the software and drops the confusing "points" system.
arh33's Full Review: Microsoft Zune Black (30 GB) MP3 Player
Given to me as a Christmas gift, this was a bargain at less than $90! The 8G version is more than $120. Plays music, videos, photos, podcasts, etc.
Player works well with a long battery life and music is crisp with strong bass and precise high notes. However, the photo and video functions are confusing and I have yet to figure them out after two months.
The supplied software has been a headache. It'll work for a few weeks, then crash- requiring me to reload the disc to reactivate the software. Music selection from the Zune Marketplace is satisfactory, but the concept of buying "points" to buy music seems to me to be needlessly complex and an unecessary step- why not just charge 99 cents for a song and be done with it?
Accessories for this player are a tough find. Anything from Microsoft is pricey and any other brand is an internet purchase- almost no Zune compatible stereos, clock radios, etc.
Lastly, and this may just be me, but I have no interest in being part of the "Social" Microsoft pushes as a sort of musical Facebook. Enough already- just leave me alone so I can listen to my tunes and an occasional podcast.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 89 Recommended for: Music Lovers - High Capacity Storage for an Entire Album Collection
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