Is $200 for a Microsoft Zune worth it?

You compare prices using the MSRP, not the cheapest place you can find something. Hell, my Mom got her iPod for $175 during a Meijer sale.
 
[quote name='xghostsniperx']I've used all of the "top 3" hard drive-based MP3 players on the market (iPod, Zune, Zen Vision M) for at least a week, and I can say that the Zen Vision M is easily the best.

I found the Zune to be a complete step back from current MP3 players. In a market dominated by touch controls and intuitive interfaces, the Zune is the odd one out. I won't go over how poor I think the interface and the controls are, but my biggest complaint was how buggy the player felt. Not only is the navigation annoying, but the going from a "now playing" screen all the way back to the menu can cause the Zune to take 10+ seconds to load or sometimes it'll freeze altogether. Would not reccomend it at all.

iPods are great. I find them reliable, well-built, and now at an affordable price. I really like iTunes and how easy it is to change ID3 tags and stuff. I don't think I have to comment on how well it controls. My biggest complaint though would have to be the video support. The iPod supporting only one video format is inexcusable.

Again, the Zen is my favorite. I absolutely LOVE the navigation on the thing. The ability to scroll through songs and then click on them without moving your finger is great (lazy, but great). Playlist features are awesome, included micropone is useful, and I think it sounds great. If you're a big video watcher, the inclusion of support for tons of video is amazing. You can download a DIVX file and just throw it on with no clumsy conversions. If there's anything I don't like about the Zen it would be the includd software. While it is ok, I find it very difficult to change the names of songs and I usually have to manually change the ID3 tags.

So, go with either an iPod or a Zen. Just stay the hell away from Zunes.[/QUOTE]


I've had the chance to own/use all 3 (ipod, visionM, and zune) extensively, as well, and I share your sentiments (for the most part):

- the zune was the most impressive from a hardware standpoint (except for the size, if smaller is better to you)...GORGEOUS screen, great GUI, excellent sound quality, and (albeit, limited) wifi. It is technically similar to the Toshiba S series (which I also used to own and love). HOWEVER, it is in the stone ages as far as software is concerned: no drag-and-drop support (you MUST use the zune software), DRM downloads (itunes is guilty of this, too), limited file support (I think only mp3 and wmv are supported?!?). Overall, not ready for primetime in my opinion (especially at this stage of the "mp3 player game"), although I'd love to see what MS can do for an encore (provided that they get away from the DRM game...which unfortunately seems doubtful).

- the vision m is the best overall IF you must watch videos on your player (which I don't). Wide support of various audio/video files (basically played everything I threw at it). Best GUI with the most customization options. Screen could be brighter and have a better viewing angle, but colors and resolution were excellent. The "scroll bar" was my least favorite input method out of the three (not my cup of tea...I prefer the digital pad of the zune), but YMMV (definitely try-before-you-buy if you can). Oh, and sound quality rocks. I've always liked creative...it's too bad that the vision m never really "caught on" with the mainstream public, as I think it is a SOLID player with no real weaknesses. Personally I can't wait for the "real" successor to the visionM (NOT the visionW).

- the 30gb ipod (5.5 gen) is my current mp3 player of choice. It has an improved screen, accessories up the ass that are WIDELY available, and a solid interface (although I'm not in love with the click wheel as much as everyone else is). Now before you call me a sellout, I have to also mention that I'm using the Rockbox OS on my ipod. This allows me to play practically any non-drm audio file I want. I can also drag-and-drop my music without using itunes (which I despise). I can fully customize my GUI, as well, and I can also delete songs/podcasts DIRECTLY from the player (VERY important feature for me). This OS also allows dual booting, so I can revert back to a "normal" ipod at anytime (although I never do). Strictly from a music playing standpoint, I'll put my ipod running rockbox up against any player on the market today (again, I'm not interested on watching videos on my mp3 player).

Whew, I know that's alot of info, but you should try to do as much research as you can before spending your $200 on any mp3 player...I hope this helped. Also, I'm not saying that any of these players "SUXORZ"...each has strengths and weaknesses that everyone must consider in order to find the best player out there FOR THEM.
 
[quote name='icruise']You compare prices using the MSRP, not the cheapest place you can find something. Hell, my Mom got her iPod for $175 during a Meijer sale.[/QUOTE]
See every other example.

Technically you're getting more for your money with the ZEN anyway, as you don't have to deal with FailTunes... SEE WHAT I DID THERE!?
 
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