Zune stacks up in size: iPods, Zen, Sansa

And here we have the brown Zune stacked agains the Zen Vision:M, iPods 5G and nano, and the Sansa E200 series. Just because it's taller than the rest doesn't mean it's larger than the rest though; we actually found the Zune to be deceptively small, and still quite pocketable. But hey, that's just us, we're the peeps prepped and ready to rock a Universal in tight jeans.

P.S. -In case you're wondering, the screens only "lit" on the Zune because it's a non-functional retail display unit.

[Thanks, Steven]

[Chris @ Nov 5th 2006 10:51PM]

So it's thicker and taller than the iPod 5G, but it's not quite as wide. Eh, that's still too big, although I was surprised to see that it was thinner than the Zen Vision: M (is that a 30GB V:M?).
By the way, have you guys seen the various Zune commercials? Now they're horrible...worse advertisements I've ever seen--the average person won't even know what the Zune is. Do they ever show the actual player? That's one part of the Apple formula they shoulda copied--product-centric commercials.

[i @ Nov 5th 2006 10:52PM]

the ipod is still the best. Ipod for life woot woot. Steve Jobs can blow me netime

[embee @ Nov 6th 2006 7:23AM]

Given the nature of your Ipod post, I suspect you'd be the one with the mouthwash after that experience.

[Mitch R. @ Nov 5th 2006 10:53PM]

Damn the nano is thin.

[Mitch R. @ Nov 5th 2006 10:54PM]

Yeah, and in the commercial it looks like an iPod. They never even say what the Zune is.

[Jeremy @ Nov 5th 2006 10:59PM]

To get the zune or not to?

[Woody56292 @ Nov 6th 2006 12:47PM]

yeah because the zune looks so much like an ipod...
/sarcasm

and it doesn't say zune in big letters at the end.
/sarcasm

plus, iPod commercials are normally cool, hip-hop singing/dancing commercials, while the zune commercial is laid-back chilling commercial. ( the picnic one )

[jason ehrentreu @ Nov 5th 2006 11:00PM]

how about weight?

[mike @ Nov 5th 2006 11:10PM]

how else could they explain the "awesome" battery life...

PS. you're not supposed to know how thick it is... look at the packaging vs. ipod packaging..

tee hee

[Blink @ Nov 5th 2006 11:12PM]

Looks good, but I'm still holding out for a cell phone with a hard drive, media player, word document reader and USB slot. ;)

[melfster @ Nov 5th 2006 11:20PM]

Sansa is looking really good it looks smaller then the nano although not as thin. But does so much more like video and had fm radio and record function

[Soonerpet @ Nov 5th 2006 11:15PM]

That zune looks as thick and boxy as the 5 year old 1st gen ipod. What's sad is that the 80GB ipod is still thinner than the 30GB zune. Talk about bulky.

[enzo @ Nov 5th 2006 11:17PM]

Zune is a completely new monster, only first generation. I give it until the 3rd generation before it becomes a cheaper and better alternative to the iPod. The iPod might be on generation 8 by then, but I bet it will be glistening and still too expensive.

[qbix @ Nov 5th 2006 11:19PM]

Where's the Gigabeat S? Why has everyone forgotten it so fast? And most important, why are we getting the shaft with a crippled player with no accessories and no hope for a firmware upgrade? I hate you Toshiba, and maybe also Microsoft.

[Joe Smith @ Nov 5th 2006 11:20PM]

funny how many of them have wheels, eh?

[Rex @ Nov 5th 2006 11:56PM]

I like how the Creative is the only one that looks distinguishable from the rest of the mp3players on there :D (eg.. not having the wheel)

[Megatomic @ Nov 5th 2006 11:34PM]

I love my Sansa, but I'm keeping my eyes on the Zune. Like was said above, by Gen 2 or 3 it's going to be a mature device and worth looking at seriously.

[Reginald @ Nov 5th 2006 11:35PM]

Yes, the Sansa is smaller than the iPod nano, has an FM tuner, and plays video too. However, the Sansa e200 only plays MJPEG video which takes up a lot of space and normal MPEG4/MPEG2 video must be converted first.

...Just thought you should know since I own the Sansa e260.

Now, compare the Sansa e200 to the Zune and Wow, I might as well just get a Pocket PC!

[Adamo @ Nov 10th 2006 12:24AM]

The sansa is one of the best competitors to the Sansa, its no nano but look at the size of that thing! And all the defects of the shiny sansa can be easily fixed with firmware updates.

[M @ Nov 5th 2006 11:45PM]

Still lovin that screen size on the Zune though. Worth the extra bulk in my opinion. Anyways, still debating whether to go with Zune or iPod 5.5. I guess I will just go to BestBuy on the 14th and give em both a look. The shiny scratch attracting material of the iPod is kinda steering me toward Zune.

[Kirko @ Nov 5th 2006 11:58PM]

Bigger, maybe. But i bet it is still small, and i bet i wont feel like im going to shatter it like the ipod video. Not to mention large screen, battery, fm tuner, AND wireless. Ipod would have to be larger to accomodate those add ons too.

[Steven @ Nov 6th 2006 12:08AM]

Larger screen- Same resolution but still better.

Bigger battery- Because it will eat it faster.

Fm tuner- I bought a large mp3 player so I'd never have to listen to the radio again. I freakin hate the radio.

Wireless- If I want to trade songs with my friends(which ALL have iPods), I'll go to their house and trade unrestricted.

Steven

[DM @ Nov 6th 2006 12:14AM]

It might be thicker but it's better. Gives a better firm grip in your hand. Why do apple fanboys always complain about it being thicker? It's not even half an inch thick, it's just a tens of an inch difference. How small are your hands? Are you a baby? Do u always prefer something fragile? Something inspired by Nicole Ritchie?

[Porsche 911 @ Nov 6th 2006 12:34AM]

Based on your comments, you are the one who looks like a fanboy.

The battery might be big; however, the life is short.

Why are people trying to justify that the size of the first generation Zune is perfect. The only reason why the first generation iPod was large is due to time, technology, and cost. At our current time, we can create smaller electronics by cutting down a lot cost, so Microsoft had a choice to create a smaller player, but they did not want to increase the price due to its competitor�s price.

[Sean @ Nov 6th 2006 3:26AM]

It might be thicker but its better? How would you know its better? Have you seen one, have you had it in your hands? Also, this comment about giving them to gen 2 or 3 zune to get it right, that is rubbish. When the original 5GB iPod came out it was the most amazing, cool and inovative product of its time... Why can't MS with all their resources not develop a truely super machine.... instead of just updating and giveing a toshiba gigabeat a makeover??

[DM @ Nov 6th 2006 2:24AM]

smaller electronics means less features which would explain ipods slim look , mediocre video quality and short battery life. Apple always puts style first and functionality second, which is really retarded because this is an electronic gadget, not some leather purse bag you show off to your gay friends. And just so you know, I do not own any those players displayed, although I'm planning on getting myself the creative zvm which beats ipod features by a mile. Sorry fanboy.

[kezeka @ Nov 6th 2006 12:35AM]

I know I'm probably being biased here, but i think m*cro$oft is filled with a bunch of greedy people who care nothing about their consumers, and this is why i have been glad to see the iPod do so well the past few years and see apple finally take hold of a market. Sure apple charges a premium - but they charge a premium because the iPod really is the best. Like all of the other reviewers have stated - they all clearly have wheels, wonder where that started?

Thin to win - the bulkier something is the less I am willing to shove it in my pocket for a day and carry it around - i already have to carry a wallet and an oversized brick of a cellphone last thing i want is a huge Zune taking up even more space in my pocket.

I like the idea of having wifi, if someone finds a way to throw a linux distro on a Zune and allow me to download music while walking around then i might consider the extra bulk useful, but until then, its extra bulk.

Does anyone know how durable the zune is? i have heard all of these crazy stories from my friends about washing nanos and swimming with them - i myself have dropped an iPod 3g off the top of my car going 50 and had nothing happen except a few minor scratches on the front ( people always complain about scratching but anything that gets launched off a car into asphalt without taking more than 3 scratches has my vote ).

Point is, most people are happy with their iPods and since everyone knows how to use one now its even better and more user friendly, as even my young sister knows how to use one.

[Chris @ Nov 6th 2006 12:35AM]

"funny how many of them have wheels, eh?"

Actually, the Zune wheel is not a wheel. It's just a set of buttons disguised as a wheel.

[Trevor @ Nov 6th 2006 12:42AM]

The Zune is going to suck. Microsoft is not doing anything special with this. They are trying to hard to acieve something they never will. Ipod is a far better then the Zune and will always be.

I mean the only 2 things the Zune has over the ipod is Wifi(which is really useless at this point, it really does nothing), and a bigger screen. Woopdy Doo, .5 inchs in a HUGE difference.

Wait til the touchscreen/wirless ipod comes out later this year/early next yet. That will blow the Zune way out of the water.

First off I read a article by a financial anaysyst, and he said the Zune was this years BIGGEST flop, and Steve Jobs said he wasnt at ALL threatened by the Zune.

I dont know why there is so much hype/publicity surrounding the Zune, this is just another "I want to be an ipod" Mp3 players, and I dont see that happenening ANYTIME soon.

[E Malave Jr @ Nov 6th 2006 1:01AM]

You are absolutely correct qbix. The Toshiba S60 should be in this group. I guess since Toshiba built the Zune it's sort of represented. Nevertheless, for the price (currently $250 for 60 GB in some stores) it's value is VERY competitive. It also doesn't have the silly inefficient wheel and has FM(an extra $30 accesory for Ipod).

FM is UNDERRATED. Sometimes I don't want to spend my time looking for a new playlist or new song or spend money on new tracks when I can hear them for free, completely free-FM also allows me to hear some news programs without having to download xxxxcasts. It sucks if you live in a place with 3 good radio stations.

Unfortunately for the S60 you really do need Windows MCE or 360 to get the most out it.

[Molly C @ Nov 6th 2006 1:04AM]

I'm not sure it's fair to compare Zune, a harddrive player with Sansa and Nano, which are flashdrive players.

I actually prefer bigger players. I have a 20G 2nd gen iPod and a new Sansa, and the Sansa is tiny compared to the iPod, but I like the feel of the iPod more. It seems more solid.

[Molly C @ Nov 6th 2006 1:10AM]

Those bashing FM are just like the fox that bashed the grapes as "sour" just because he couldn't get them. If iPod had FM you guys would be praising it. Same thing with bigger screen and WiFi, and you *know* it deep down.

[Marian @ Nov 6th 2006 1:45AM]

iPod users could get their FM radio for 5 bucks http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Portable-Radio-Neck-Strap/dp/B0001NEBWO/
Or even less if you search for a better deal.
But they don't. Guess why ;-)

[Soonerpet @ Nov 6th 2006 2:36AM]

Not really. Why would I want to pay for an fm tuner when I would never use it? That's the whole point of owning an ipod, you listen to the music you want, when you want. I got my first ipod over 3 years ago and honest to god haven't listened to the radio for more than 5 mins since then. My 60GB ipod is chocked full of music and podcasts, and I can go ages without ever hearing the same some again. I actually enjoy being able to buy an ipod with no fm tuner in it, why pay for crap I won't use? If you just must have one, apple offers an add-on you can buy, so stop complaining.

[embee @ Nov 6th 2006 7:37AM]

Apple never really had a good excuse for no FM. That said, they need to work out a deal with Sirius or XM. I'd tolerate a couple extra tenths of an inch for sat-rad in an Ipod.

If Apple doesn't, don't be surprised if MS does.

[DM @ Nov 6th 2006 1:20AM]

Trevor @ Nov 6th 2006 12:41AM

said " First off I read a article by a financial anaysyst, and he said the Zune was this years BIGGEST flop, and Steve Jobs said he wasnt at ALL threatened by the Zune."

Zune already a flop? It has not been sold yet now its already a flop? Wow! And you got that from an article by a financial analyst? ( its analyst btw, not anaysyst). Steve Jobs said he was not threatened. Of course he wasn't threatened. As CEO of a company like Apple, it is his obligation to do all means necessary to make Apple fanboys like you feel better , and that includes being in denial about the whole thing.

trevor said "I dont know why there is so much hype/publicity surrounding the Zune, this is just another "I want to be an ipod" Mp3 players, and I dont see that happenening ANYTIME soon."

Boy, you sound so threatened there. Smart consumers want choices, it is competition, its just the way it is.

" I mean the only 2 things the Zune has over the ipod is Wifi(which is really useless at this point, it really does nothing)and a bigger screen."


BTW, wifi is not limited only for music transfer but pictures as well. For billions of hardcore digital photographers out there, it is very useful. Try reading the features and specs before you say something dumb.


"The Zune is going to suck. Microsoft is not doing anything special with this. They are trying to hard to acieve something they never will. Ipod is a far better then the Zune and will always be."

LoL. Typical words of a fanboy.


Just so you know, I'm no zune fan.

[Alex C @ Nov 6th 2006 8:19AM]

"Just so you know, I'm no zune fan."

Oh yes, clearly not at all a Zune fan.

[Kevin @ Nov 6th 2006 1:34AM]

I'll chime in.

So it's thick? I'm not quite sure why every likes the whole thin, spread out thing. When I put something in my pocket, I want it to have minimal flat surface area touching me. True, thinkness will make it worse, but it's a balancing act. Of course, the best solution would be curves. (Curves are quite underrated, but look at the MyFi, it works so well in the hand, yet its massive.) And, if the weight is spread out more, it feels more comfortable. iPods aren't comfortable in my hands.

I agree that the FM-bashers are jealous. Even if they truly don't like it, they'd be okay with it in the iPod. And the wi-fi, you know that's cool. Most people would use it if they had it.

I like the Zune, and I really hope it succeeds. It's an honest attempto break AWAY from the monotony of the iPod. Tink of that, Microsoft the dark horse and Apple the dominant one. What a scary world.

This all comes from a Linux user. I'm not for Microsoft, but I see no reason to hate them.

[Steven @ Nov 6th 2006 1:35AM]

After holding even that display, I believe the Zune has a real chance. Having an iPod, i might even look twice at the Zune, but I haven't had my iPod long enough for an upgrade, and by the time I am ready, I'm sure Apple will have fired back. I say the Zune is a formidable opponent.

Steven

[wbao0780 @ Nov 6th 2006 1:50AM]

because it adds size to ur ipod, something u fanboys dont want.

and whoever says microsoft owners r greedy bastards is retarded. bill gates kept his money because he knew wat an unstable field he was working in. he knew that software business is a harsh business and any day his business can flop (this was back when he first started btw). so he saved up his money to make sure that even if his company flops, his employees will still get paid for work they have done that year. and if u call that greedy than u simply havent read wat i said.

[Porsche 911 @ Nov 6th 2006 12:24PM]

By being smaller does not mean it would have less features, compare the current iPod with the first generation iPod, the current iPod is smaller and it has more features. Now why did you not mention Zune in your latest post, what Microsoft fanboy? You also mentioned the iPod�s battery life is short, well so is Zune�s. Did you also notice the new Zen Vision M looks somewhat like the iPods, maybe you do want to show it off to your gay friends, hey look at me I have a generic iPod look-alike. Nevertheless, try not to change the subject fanboy; first you were defending the Zune, from there you went to talk trash about the iPods, and now you want a Zen Vision M.

[Mike @ Nov 10th 2006 7:33PM]

smaller electronics means less features which would explain ipods slim look , mediocre video quality and short battery life. Apple always puts style first and functionality second

First of all, if Apple could fit an fm receiver inside a small remote control, there is no technical reason why they could not integrate it to the iPod.

Second, You make it sound like it's a bad thing to have a slim look. until now, people have always wanted smaller and smaller devices, why would it change with the Zune?

"mediocre video quality": sure, compared to my 80 inches plasma TV, the iPod screen looks mediocre. What do you expect from a 2,5" screen? There is a reason why Apple keep calling it the "iPod with video" and not the "iPod video".

"short battery life"; let's compare by size then, because apparently, that's what's important:
Zune: music 12h, video 3.5h
Zen 60GB: music 14h, video 5h
iPod 80GB: music 20h, video 6,5h
This sure is a short battery life!
(Yes, the iPod 30GB has less autonomy, but we are comparing players that have the closest size)

Finally, "Apple always puts style first and functionality second", right, and Ferrari puts style first and performance second. They're both important, and they're the reason for the iPod's success. A cool looking gadget will just be a 2-weeks fashion trend that if functionality is not developed.

Sorry fanboy

[ak @ Nov 6th 2006 3:03AM]

hahaha are you serious?
"BTW, wifi is not limited only for music transfer but pictures as well. For billions of hardcore digital photographers out there, it is very useful. Try reading the features and specs before you say something dumb."
Why don't you look look at the specs before saying something dumb for a change. No "hardcore" photographer as you would say would ever use the zune for pictures. First off it uses jpeg, which greatly degrades the picture quality. Secondly it automaticly converts all picture to 640 by 480 which is the quality of a webcam. If you don't believe me here are the specs pulled right off zune.net

Pictures
JPEG (.jpg): All resolutions (desktop software will automatically convert to 640x480 at sync time)

[DM @ Nov 6th 2006 5:06AM]

"It might be thicker but its better? How would you know its better? Have you seen one, have you had it in your hands? "

Of course.

"When the original 5GB iPod came out it was the most amazing, cool and inovative product of its time..."

Yeah, you can thank creative for that one.
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2006/05/creative-officially-sues-apple.php

"Why can't MS with all their resources not develop a truely super machine.... instead of just updating and giveing a toshiba gigabeat a makeover??"

Unlike apple w/c is a sw/hw company, ms is primarily a software company.(Windows/office etc..)They are pretty much the new kid on the block with hardwares, xbox for instance which has been succesful recently. Besides, collaborating with another company is never a bad idea, and if you do your research, i'm sure you'll find out that apple had done the same long ago.For starters, you might wanna ask Steve Jobs why they put Intel chips on macs these days.

[Revrant2394 @ Nov 6th 2006 3:38AM]

I'm getting pretty outright sick and tired of all these "omg it bgi!1" comments, you go to Best Buy and you look at a Zen, you could lose that thing through a crack in the floor, None of them are too big, if anything most are far too damned Small to be MEDIA players as they claim to be. Lose this "it's huge" crap, it's old, it's wrong, and everyone is sick of it.

[keith waddington @ Nov 6th 2006 3:43AM]

so its taller and fatter but "not larger."

Usually I dismiss conspiracy theories, but even I am starting to think that MS is paying engadgets for this kind of constant promotion.

I mean, is the iPod really shorter and thinner but not smaller?

I think many people are delusional when it comes to this thing.
It's made by MS but doesn't say so anywhere.
It has a wheel like an iPod but it's fake.
It has a lower quality screen.
It has shorter battery life.
It's bulkier.
It's uglier.
It's untested and unseen by consumers.
It's made by a company famous for mediocrity and monopolistic practices.

Now tell me in what way this is different from all the other mp3 players that no one cares about?

waddo

[Revrant2394 @ Nov 6th 2006 4:32AM]

It's STILL somehow better than an iPod? =)

[Woody56292 @ Nov 6th 2006 12:47PM]

1. the zune isn't as wide as an ipod. ( look at the picture ) I think that is what the Engadget guy was trying to say. (stop with your outrageous conspiracy theories.
2.I like the look of the "wheel" on the zune. it makes it look like a stand-up speaker.
3. I has the same quality screen as an ipod.
4. its battery life is the same as the 30gb ipod.
5. ofcourse it is untested and unseen by consumers. It hasn't come out yet! that hasn't stop iPodphiles from praising the 6g iPod. ( and it hasn't even been announced yet )
6. Xbox anyone? the original xbox rocked, and the 360 is poised to "win" the console war. ( a stupid term, as is this whole Zune vs iPod war )

why can't we all just get along and have both the Zune and the iPod together, just like we have macs and pcs.

[suresh kumar @ Nov 6th 2006 4:46AM]

Urgh !

Zune - is so old skool, it might even become successful for its retro looks...

ha hah ha...

oh dear of dear M$ -- (please give up - its painful to see you make such a mess of things...

[Sixty Degrees @ Nov 6th 2006 6:22AM]

It's good to see quite a few of you Apples are in denial on the zune capabilities and sexy looks. Where is the best mini media player out now? The iRiver Clix!?