New mp3 player! Zune HD or iPod Classic?

[RandomFool]

I've been using a Zune 30 for the last 3 years and love it but it's starting to flake out on me so it's time replace it.

What I'm looking for is something that's fits in my pocket, had at least 64GB of memory and is relatively easy to use without looking. I already have an iPhone, so I don't need anything fancy. I'm open to other alternatives but I haven't found an alternative to these two that isn't a super fancy media player (Creative Zii) or a small GB mp3 player(Sansa).

I'll mostly be using it either on the train to work or in my car. In both cases it's kind of a pain to use my iPhone since it requires pulling it out and staring at the screen to do just about anything.

So far the best options I've found are the iPod Classic and the Zune HD. I can get a refurb ipod classic (120GB) for $189. Or I can get a Zune HD (64GB) for $349. I'm somewhat torn on which one to get.

The Zune HD is way fancier than I need but I've been really impressed with the 30. The only thing stopping me from buying a Zune HD is that it doesn't have play/pause or back/next buttons. Although, I've heard it relatively easy to use without looking.

The iPod classic seems like a good choice too but it's larger than I'd like and I really hate iTunes.

 

[rudeguy]

Zune all the way. I was just checking out the HD Zune on Newegg. I don't need an MP3 player but I almost bought one just because they are so sweet.

You said you don't like itunes...so the ipod is out. Why would you spend that much money on an outdated setup anyways?

 

[hanoverphist]

The Zune HD is way fancier than I need but I've been really impressed with the 30. The only thing stopping me from buying a Zune HD is that it doesn't have play/pause or back/next buttons. Although, I've heard it relatively easy to use without looking.

it does have them, they just arent actual buttons. when its locked and in your pocket, just reach in and tap the screen. the middle is pause/ play, swipe right will go back a track and left to go to next track. swipe upraises volume, down to lower it. it took me about 20 min to get used to it, and i still get the next track/ last track backwards sometimes. this works when its locked as well as unlocked, so looking at it isnt a requirement to manipulate the music. the itouch doesnt have that so easy, you have to see the buttons on the screen to use them, otherwise itis a guess as to exactly where you are pressing.

another reason i like the zuneHD is the zune pass. 10 songs to keep and unlimited music otherwise. you can also link multiple folders that seem to auto update when you add mp3s to them, and the drms can be used by 3 different devices at one time. the wireless sync is a cool thing as well, saves me some time with cables and such.

my son has the zuneHD and both my daughters have itouches so ive gotten to play with both extensively. my son used to have the itouch but wouldnt go back to it at this point, the only thing he kind of misses is the external speaker. i havent ever played with the classic ipods farther than showing my mom how to sync hers when she first got it.

 

[Deeko]

Do you use the Zune Pass with you Zune 30? If so....well, I think you have an answer.

Also, HD radio is awesome.

 

[pm]

As I often seem to do, I agree with everyone else. You seem very happy with the Zune 30, and the Zune HD is really neat and trumps a classic iPod hands down.

I'll mostly be using it either on the train to work or in my car. In both cases it's kind of a pain to use my iPhone since it requires pulling it out and staring at the screen to do just about anything.

Funny, I mostly use my iPhone without ever pulling it out and staring at the screen. I just use the voice recognition. "Play playlist my top rated", "play playlist taylor swift" (hey, I like her. don't mock your moderator ) and then the pause/play/skip and volume buttons on the earbuds.

 

[rudeguy]

As I often seem to do, I agree with everyone else. You seem very happy with the Zune 30, and the Zune HD is really neat and trumps a classic iPod hands down.

Funny, I mostly use my iPhone without ever pulling it out and staring at the screen. I just use the voice recognition. "Play playlist my top rated", "play playlist taylor swift" (hey, I like her. don't mock your moderator ) and then the pause/play/skip and volume buttons on the earbuds.

I freaking LOVE Taylor Swift!

Is she single??? Hmmm.......

 

[Dominato3r]

As I often seem to do, I agree with everyone else. You seem very happy with the Zune 30, and the Zune HD is really neat and trumps a classic iPod hands down.

Funny, I mostly use my iPhone without ever pulling it out and staring at the screen. I just use the voice recognition. "Play playlist my top rated", "play playlist taylor swift" (hey, I like her. don't mock your moderator ) and then the pause/play/skip and volume buttons on the earbuds.

Taylor Swift === WIN

DO NOT BE AFRAID.

And OP, i'd replace the zune30. I have it, and it's just horrible, the only thing they got right was the built in radio.

I'd get an ipod touch. It's small, and runs almost all the apps and iphone would, excluding the voice recognition ones.

 

[pm]

Glad to hear there's Taylor Swift fans on here. My wife and co-workers make fun of me.

I'd get an ipod touch. It's small, and runs almost all the apps and iphone would, excluding the voice recognition ones.

He's got an iPhone already...

 

[rudeguy]

Glad to hear there's Taylor Swift fans on here. My wife and co-workers make fun of me.
He's got an iPhone already...

I'll just leave this here....

 

[Deeko]

she grew up about five miles from me, that while country thing is a farce.

 

[MDE]

I'd go Zune HD, especially since you've already got the Zune software set up. Just transfer your music over and you're done.

 

[RandomFool]

Thanks everyone! I ended up going with the Zune HD. Although it took a little while, since they were sold out of every color except magenta for a few days.

I figure, I'm already setup with the Zune and I'm not a fan of iTunes. So, why buy a device Apple is clearly trying to kill off? I just needed a little more justification for it.

I'll also admit to having Taylor Swift on my Zune. <.<

 

[jpeyton]

The Zune HD is also awesome for video with the new firmware. I can drag-and-drop my XviD torrents and they play great.

 

[theeedude]

Yeah, I won a Zune HD in a raffle, and as a media player it is great. The XviD decoding works great too.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

For you, I'd get the Zune HD.

 

[Tristicus]

Zune HD