Poll: An impasse, iPod Touch or Zune?

[HassEsser]

Hello, my fellow Escapist's, I require some advice. See, I am a huuuuge music fanatic; I literally listen to it every waking moment. But, I am at an impasse.

________________________________________________________


What will be following this is a completely useless story, but if you want to get an idea of my predicament, go ahead and read. I, however, will not be offended if you jump to the tl;dr:
My first music device I've ever owned was a Creative ZEN V Plus [http://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/etilize/images/250/1010093875.jpg], and I fucking loved that little thing. It set the foundations that would later become my personal taste in music, and I am forever indebted to it. Wasn't super impressive on a functionality scale, but it played music very well, and, really, what else can you ask for in a music playing device? (back then, granted)

After about 2 years of utilizing the fuck out of that tiny player, I purchased an iPod Touch 2G [http://regmedia.co.uk/2008/09/22/ipod_touch_2g_1.jpg], and I really liked it for a while; I hacked it, and basically wrung it out for everything it was worth. During this time, my tastes in music were shaped into the rough image of what they are now, but this little side story that is my preferences was still not complete. Anyway, I sold that paper weight for $80, perfect condition; I know, crazy, but I didn't care, Apple ticked me off one too many times with their shitty software.

Afterward, I payed off my debts to Creative and bought a Creative ZEN 32GB [http://static.skattertech.com/files/2007/11/creative-zen-front.jpg]; it is the device I am currently using, and it is PACKED with music. This little critter is what finally established my personal preferences and tastes in music were, and currently are. I think it is safe to say this is my most prized possession. But, alas, it has been 3 years, and I am getting bored with it's lack of functionality (it can really only play music); what I really want and need at the moment is an up-to-date, sleek, sexy, HD device, and after much digging, I've found two (3) devices I'm dead set on. . . but you can't be dead set on TWO devices, gotta pick one, right? And that's where I am right now.

________________________________________________________


tl;dr What device do I choose? I despise Apple, but the iPod Touch has TONS of app's, and it's super easy and worthwhile to hack, which is a huge plus. However, Zune is NOT Apple, and that is a gigantic fucking plus in Zune's favor. It's user interface is also incredibly cool; but, it has, like, what, 20 apps? Eh. . .

Also, if I choose iPod Touch, then I also have to decide whether or not I get the 4G now, or wait like a month, and get the 5G.

Link's:
http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunehd/default.htm
http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/

Thanks for reading and helping

 

[onewheeled]

They still sell Zunes? I honestly didn't know that, haha.

What exactly was it about the iPod Touch that pissed you off so much?

 

[JeanLuc761]

I have one of the old 30GB Zune's and I love it to death. The UI is gorgeous and intuitive, the sound quality is great and the thing is practically indestructible. I've had it for more than five years and the only thing that's broken on it was the button pad, which I replaced for $20.

 

[BonsaiK]

You already have a music player. It still works. You don't need another one. And what do you mean "HD functionality", what exactly is that and why do you need it? Is it something that will genuinely enhance your life or just marketing fluff? Why not just be happy with what you have and spend the money on something else?

 

[Sight Unseen]

maybe get a nice android phone or something, those can play music, have a ton of apps, and are also a phone. If that isn't an option for you, I'd say to get the iPod. I'm not fond of apple's stuff, but I have an iPod touch 2G and I like it for what it does, which is play music. I don't really care that much for the apps.

That said, I know next to nothing about the Zune, so I can't really compare the iPod with the Zune, but I thought I remember hearing that Microsoft was discontinuing the Zune, and I dont generally recommend buying dropped hardware, because they tend to lose developper support.

 

[Worgen]

Im going to say not apple because fuck apple

 

[Redout9122]

iPod Touch is simpler. I've piddled with ZuneHDs before and the interface is bloody atrocious. It's like a six-year-old designed it. Long names get cut off, the menus are just a case of click, then open, then click, then open ad infinitum, it's awful.

The only people who buy ZuneHDs are hipsters who feel a need to have balanced zen. Because they're so bloody awkward to use that I can't think of another reason to buy one.

 

[Julianking93]

I have to say Apple since.... well I own 2 Mac computers after my last 3 PCs crashed on me after about 2 years of use and the Zune doesn't work on Mac and iPod touch works on both.
Then again, my iPod busted after about 3 years so.... /sadface
Though, why do you need another music player if you already have one unless you need more memory space?

 

[Avaholic03]

As much as I hate Apple...it's pretty much the only mp3 player with any kind of accessory support. You want a docking station or a protective case? Good luck finding one for any other mp3 player.

For the record, I have an older 30GB Zune. If all you want is the player, then it works great. But even finding a car charger at best buy is nearly impossible if it's not an iPod. God damn monopolies.

 

[WouldYouKindly]

How is this even an impasse?

I've never had a problem with my iPod touch software(not certain which generation mine is though) and the apps can entertain me for when I don't want to kill my phone battery playing Angry Birds or something. Then again, I got it as a gift, so I can't complain.

As an aside, I generally hate apple. They ridiculously over charge for their products and create the most snobbish mentality on the planet. The mac asshats who think they're better than me because they bought a laptop half as capable as mine for twice the price because they don't know how to streamline windows or protect their computers from viruses are probably the most annoying people I've ever met.

 

[Brent DiPaolo]

Go with the Zune. I've tried working with the UI on Apple products for my friends and family and it's just retarded how they could make something like that. Where as the UI on the Zune and the computer program is 10x's easier. I've never had a problem with the Zune at all but I kept hearing complaints from friends about the ipods and apple products (Mac).

 

[twistedheat15]

I hate apple just as much as you do, but I wouldn't marytr myself over it and just grab the ipod touch. The touch just has too much of an advantage over other mp3's with the apps ability on top of music storage. If you was going for pure music I'd say grab a Sony walkman touch mp3, great music quality, no software to instill just drag and drop playlist, but harder to find acc for like other players.

 

[goronlink8]

Zunes don't break, unless you are trying to break them (or somehting really bad happened to it.) I have an old 30gb and a newer 32gb(i think)Zune HD. The quality of the everything is really nice, except for the number of games/apps, but that is what computers are for.

 

[Toriver]

I'm actually in a similar boat. My 30 GB iPod's battery has gone to hell and the click wheel is broken, so I'm also kinda in the market for a new music player. Here in Japan, the Sony Walkman brand is alive and well, and they dominate the market. The iPod is number 2, but they charge Apple product prices on steroids: in other words, more than I'm willing to spend. The Walkman would be fine, except that I run Ubuntu linux, and the Walkmans sold in Japan use a proprietary program to sync that requires Windows and installs but does not run under Wine. Does anyone know a good Linux-compatible player I can buy online? IIRC, Creative Zen players are good with Linux. What are the pros and cons to them?

 

[WolfThomas]

I bought a generic 8gig player from Dick Smiths for 40AUD. Pretty darn good battery life and it doesn't need any software just plug and load like a USB, then search by folder. I'm way happier with that then I ever was with my ipod.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

They still make Zune? I thought Microsoft discontinued that.

At any rate, the only problem I have with the iPod is dealing with Apple software.

 

[DannyJBeckett]

They still sell Zunes? I thought those things died shortly after release.

Anyway, why don't you just get an iPod classic? Then you can story WAY more music/pictures/videos. I can tell you're kind kind of an app-addict, but frankly, if you're that obsessed with the, just get an iPhone or other smartphone.

By the way, I'm not an Apple-fan, in fact I don't like Apple. (It's the constant re-releasing of very-slightly-upgraded products) I DO however like the classic iPod design. It's simple, enduring and functional. Call me a troglodyte, but I don't WANT an mp3 player that can do all sorts of whiz-bang stuff, I just want an mp3 player that plays mp3s.