July 28th, 2009

Let's face it, when the general public thinks of "MP3" they immediately think of Apple's juggernaut iPod product line-up. It's for good reason, too.

For almost a decade, the unit has been controlling the portable music player market with an iron fist. Apple's iPod made CD players a thing of the past (and let's me know how old I'm getting. Thanks, Steve Jobs.) and ushered in a new era of music distribution that had record labels crapping their collective pants trying to figure out the best way to approach the new medium as consumers were demanding to go digital.

The iPod has given the world so many awesome things, so I'm not here to knock it entirely; I'm just saying I'm not trapped by Apple's strong hold any longer. I've owned an iPod before -- it was the very first Nano model that was released in 2005. Not to bash on Apple/Mac fans, but most of you are complete sheep. Before I get hate mail, the key words in that last sentence were "most of you"... Anyways, seeing as I have worked in retail almost two years (at the ill-fated Circuit City), I talked to many people who simply gravitate to the iPods just because they have a snazzy ad campaign. Forget the functionality of the players; it's all about commercials.. I dunno about you, but I'll be damned if I listen to a dancing silhouette in earbuds.

That's when I decided I needed to do a little bit more research on my own, seeing as, at the time, it was 2008 and there plenty of other players out there. Plus, I had vastly outgrown my 4GB Nano and was in the market for a larger capacity model anyways. I hit the internet with an open mind, and didn't dismiss players blindly simply because they didn't have the Apple logo on them.

One in particular caught my attention, and that was the Zune. Originally launched in 2006, Microsoft's "iPod killer" was anything but. The software, while not a total mess, left much to be desired and the 30GB model wasn't the most attractive thing on the MP3 block, especially when directly compared to the sleeker, more refined iPod. When I saw the newer 80GB version, which was thankfully redesigned, I started doing some research.

I liked what I found and ended up purchasing the shiny, new 120GB model a few months back and have been absolutely loving the thing. This Top 5 list shows a few reasons why I highly suggest looking into getting one over an iPod Nano or Classic.

I think comparing it to the Touch is a little unfair since they're two different product lines. That's like comparing the Touch to the Classic. Either way, I'm not a fan of the Touch at all given it's price and capacity, but that's a totally different article lol.

5. Larger display & Customization

The first thing people see when it comes to the entire Zune vs. iPod argument is the screen size. The iPod Classic's screen is entirely too dinky to give any kind of powerful visual presentation. Even when I was a die-hard fan of Apple's product, I was never impressed by the screen. And before you clowns blame that on me owning a diminutive Nano, shut your pie holes because I've used the Classic many times either through my friends or through work. No dice.

The Zune's vertical display is much better for everything you can think of -- so much so, Apple bit the idea and implemented it into the 2008-2009 Nano (more on that later...) and I wouldn't be too surprised to see it in the Classic in the future.

The orientation delivers a more powerful interface and cover art and video display on the unit are leaps and bounds better than the competition. With a better display comes the option to set your own wallpapers.

This is a true God send. Instead of staring at the same damn menu for YEARS like you would have to with the iPod, you can take any picture you wish and make it your back drop. I can't tell you how much this kicks ass.

For the artistically gifted, you can load up Photoshop and make whatever you want in the default dimensions of 240x320. An example is to the left, where I cropped an image from Deviant Art to fit the Zune's screen.

Even if you can't do that on your own, there are plenty of Zune wallpaper sites out there that offer downloads and your Zune will come pre-loaded with 30+ to get you started. Pure awesomeness.

4. FM Radio

EDIT, 07.19.10: A few months after I wrote this, Apple announced the iPod nanos will include FM Radio. Doesn't matter, y'all were still late and the Zune HD has HD radio, so once again, LATE.

This isn't too much of an exclusive for the Zune, as other MP3 players on the market have it, it just makes Apple look bad because, like I said, other MP3 players have it. In fact, I'm fairly certain the iPod, even the Touch, is the only line that does NOT include FM radio by default. It's 2009 and you're telling me if I go with Apple, I'd have to add some clunky $50 attachment to receive a radio signal? Get real! I'm sure you members of the "Steve Jobs Snob Mob" have fabricated some excuse for it not being a needed feature for you, yet love the fact your overpriced Touch has a got-damned calculator. Eat shit.

Radio is very important to have in a portable player in my opinion. I loved having a walkman with it built in back before MP3 players took off back in the late 90s (I'm so old lol), and was angry I couldn't listen to it on my Nano. I eventually grew used to not having it, but it being a standard feature on the Zune, I actually use it a lot. You can have a hojillion songs in your pocket, but it's just not the same as the radio.

As far as reception and sound quality goes, it depends on where you're at obviously. It's not some miracle tuner, nor will it make FM sound better than FM can be. It does it's job as you would expect it too. Adding presets is also nice and you also have the option to change your reception settings to Japan or Europe if you're a globe trotter.