The Music Den

The Zune - Microsoft Corporation

The Good Points

• Large screen - good for viewing video
• Responsive interface
• Photo sharing via wireless
• Easy import of your existing MP3 and CD collection
• Good battery life

The Bad Points

• Only available in the US
• Music sharing practically useless due to limitations in the player
• Larger and heavier than all current iPod models
• Works only under Windows XP and not older versions of Windows
• Limited choice - storage capacity is 30GB, smaller than the high end iPod (80GB)
• Zune software has a rushed and incomplete feel
• Incompatible with Microsoft's own 'Plays for Sure' standard

Rating

6/10 - a capable player but has not reached the standard of the iPod. Worth considering if you're planning to watch a lot of video on it. It's also the only music player on the market that's available in brown!

As the Zune is not available in the UK yet, we're unable to provide a link to purchase the product. Beware of websites offering to sell the Zune in the UK until the launch has been officially announced. We got our review copy in the US. If you decide to get a Zune before its initial launch please take into account any difficulties you may experience if you have to return it under warranty.

The iPod - Apple

The Good Points

• Wide variety of players from the tiny iPod Shuffle and Nano up to the video playing 30GB and 80GB iPods
• Familiar well polished interface
• Works on Windows and Mac systems (supports Windows 2000, XP and Vista - more systems than Microsoft's Zune supports)
• Easy import of your existing MP3 and CD collection
• Integrated with the iTunes Music Store which has the largest range of tracks available from any commercial online music store. TV shows, movies and games are also available
• An iPod model for every price range
• Good battery life
• Wide range of accessories
• iPod dock integration in a number of car models and coming soon to six airlines

The Bad Points

• Easier to scratch than the Zune, the problem with scratching has been improved in recent models but it's still worth looking after your iPod carefully
• Not possible to share data wirelessly
• Screen is smaller than the Zune, however the quality is still good
• No music subscription server available at the moment

Rating

8.5/10 - The iPod is still the best player on the market for the vast majority of people, it integrates seamlessly with the iTunes software on both Mac and Windows, it features excellent playlist management capabilities and is linked to the largest and most successful legal online music store in the UK.

NEXT: Zune and iPod Technical Specs