Zune HD anyone?

[Ravenous222]

Has anyone else not conformed to apple and kept true to their Zunes? If so, if you have any info, tips, tricks, whatever post em here for those of us who aren't tech saavy.

[Ravenous222]

i had one, but it got hit with a [censored] SHOTGUN SHELL! long story short i placed it down behind a target and it went to zune heaven... where can i find a good replacement?

I always order from Amazon, they're a bit cheaper than stores. but if you want instant access go to a local best buy i suppose.

[RobbieThe1st]

To be honest, I'm not entirely impressed with the Zune HD. Or anything else from Microsoft OR Apple, for that matter.

In that price-range, I'd look for something a -lot- better, like the Archos 32 tablet - Or, for a bit more money, the Archos 43.

Cost:
Zune HD 16GB: $179
Archos 32 8GB: $145
Archos 43 16GB: $245

Screen resolution:
Zune: 480 x 272
Archos 32: 200x240
Archos 43: 848x480(!) - Big enough to actually do normal web browsing with!

HD playback (720P on all):
Zune: Yes, through special dock($69)
Archos 32: Yes, through cable
Archos 43: Yes, through cable

Applications:
Zune: Standard apps, plus app store of ~30 extra apps
Archos(both): Android apps, loads.

Audio formats(playback):
Zune: WMA, MP3, AAC
Archos: WMA, MP3, AAC, WAV, OGG, FLAC(plus more with add-on apps).

Video Formats(playback):
Zune: H264, VC-1(wmv9), MP4
Archos: H264, VC-1(wmv9), MP4, MJPG(plus more with add-on apps).

Video Recording:
Zune: 720P
Archos 32: VGA(640x480)
Archos 43: 720P

USB interface:
Zune: Proprietary connector, requires special software, cannot copy files to or from without the software.
Archos: Standard USB connector(mini or micro), appears as a USB mass storage device(i.e. flash drive). Copy files to or from on -any- computer, including macs - no need for software.

Software - Web Browsing:
Zune: Small screen that limits productivity, no Flash or other plugins
Archos 32: Same size(aprox) screen as zune, but does have flash 10 support.
Archos 43: Much better screen, flash 10 support.

Links:
Zune: http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunehd/default.htm
Archos 32: https://store.archos.com/archos-interne ... -5001.html
Archos 43: https://store.archos.com/archos-interne ... -5003.html



Have I made my point yet? Also, there are a number of other manufactures out there that produce comparable, or even better
devices. Heck, if you don't like Android, you could look at Nokia's smartphones - I have a N900, and while it cost me $300 used(unlocked), it's better by far than all these devices: It's got an 800x480 3.6" screen, can play almost -any- type of video(Mplayer ), has flash, Java, a fully-featured browser, 3G on Tmobile, -loads- of applications, full multi-tasking support(6 windows open at once? Easily.), GPS, accellerometer... It's got just about everything someone could want.


-Robbie

[Cessna Skyhawk]

Has anyone else not conformed to apple and kept true to their Zunes? If so, if you have any info, tips, tricks, whatever post em here for those of us who aren't tech saavy.

You can't say you're "not conforming" when you're choosing a Microsoft product.

[Ravenous222]

In that price-range, I'd look for something a -lot- better, like the Archos 32 tablet - Or, for a bit more money, the Archos 43.

My dad's been raving about the new archos tablets, they look pretty sweet!