Microsoft Zune: First Impressions

Microsoft's first MP3 player, the 30-gigabyte (GB) Zune, debuted last year, boasting a then-rare feature among players: Wi-Fi capability. But the player was bulky and you could use its wireless connection only to share music with other nearby Zunes.

We've completed initial tests on the revamped Zunes. There's an 80GB hard-disk version (holding up to 20,000 songs) that costs $250 (Click on the image at right for a closer look.); and 8GB and 4GB flash Zunes (holding 2,000 and 1,000 songs, and costing $200 and $150, respectively).

The bottom line: These successors are better than the original Zunes, though they retain some quirks.

If you're shopping for a portable player this holiday season, check out our buying advice on MP3 players and on portable digital video players. (ConsumerReports.org subscribers have access to our latest Ratings of MP3 players, Ratings of portable video players and CR Quick Recommendations of portable media players.)

We'll have a full report on Microsoft revamped Zune digital media player up on the Electronics section of ConsumerReports.org soon. [ Nov. 29, 2007 UPDATE: We've conducted more test on the new Microsoft Zunes. Read our report, Microsoft's revamped Zunes: First Look for more details. —Ed.]

In the meantime, here are some highlights from our initial tests of the Zune:

The new 80GB Zune is about the same size as the old 30GB Zune, which is still available for about $150. Battery life is improved: the 30GB Zune poops out after 14 hours where the 80GB model claims 30 hours and the flash Zunes 24 hours, all with the wireless turned off.

The controls have been made more responsive and the user interface further improved. In our tests of the 80GB Zune, picture and video quality were slightly sharper and brighter than on the smaller screen of the first Zune. Picture quality was equally good on the 8GB model (Click on the image at left for a closer look.) we tested, though it has only a relatively tiny 1.8-in. screen.

For the first time, you can share music beamed to you from other Zune players—though transfers were slower in our tests than with the old Zunes. Also, you can use the Zune's wireless capability to sync with your PC over your home's Wi-Fi network—€”though not to browse the Web or purchase music online. When you do buy music, via your PC, you must still pay in Microsoft "Points," the company's bizarrely complex currency.

Despite their quirks, the new Zunes are more worthy alternatives to the iPod family than their older siblings. The best bet is the 80GB Zune, which offers a much larger screen than the iPod Classic, or any other player with similar capacity and price. While the flash Zunes also match evenly against the Nanos in price and capacity, many people will prefer the Nano's smaller, sleeker design and slightly larger display.

—Mike Gikas

Comments

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The Zune 30 GB is the best mp3 player that I have had. The quality of music is awesome and the pictures are very clear. Overall for the sound quality, the memory and the price, I would give it a 4.5 out of 5 star rating.