iPod vs. Zune or another? Need your opinions.

[MegaRyu124x]

Sorry I don't come around these parts often, but I got busy with school work. I'm sure you understand.

Anyway, my iPod recently broke. It still plays, but it's laggy as hell and some songs don't even play. The battery dies quickly while I try to play some of these tracks, and overrall I'm fed up. It's a fifth-generation iPod, 30 GB and it's about two and a half years old.

I was talking with some friends this morning and they told me that iPods are designed to stop working within a year. I called bullshit, but it does make you wonder -- what's with all these new iPod models coming out every year?

I'm fed up with Apple in general, so I'm now considering other MP3 players. I used to have a Creative Zen, but it died on me too much. Then I had my iPod, which I have already stated is now a piece of ****.

Now that it's almost Christmas and/or my birthday (January 24), I'm considering a new start in MP3 players. Should I get a Zune or one of those fancy new iPods?

I've checked reviews. I'm worried about the Zune's playback, that it can't play certain files. I've checked reviews of the recent iPods and they're not groundbreaking either.

What would you get or which do you have? This discussion has been done to death, but this time I need an unbiased opinion -- which is the better player?

I'd appreciate the help, and sorry for the Cyrax9 post here (and sorry for that jab, Cyrax. No hard feelings?). But I just need some help. Thanks!

 

[Dark Kabuto]

I've had my iPod for about two years now and it still works fine.

I guess it's all luck of the draw

 

[virus]

I have a Zune. One of the features I like about the Zune is my buddies can send me pics or songs from their zunes to mines. Unlike the Ipod the Zune has a built in radio for free. Overall I like it a lot. My only complant is no AM radio. As for the certain playback files, I'm not sure which format you're refering to. Battery is quite long and you don't have to replace the battery at all.

 

[DarkWolf]

I have a 5th gen 30gb like you... got it back in January 2007 and I use it extensively, almost every day. Still works like a charm. Can even upgrade the hard drive or replace the battery if I really wanted to. Only beef I have against it is after about 6 months my earbuds became quiet and tinny, so they're unusable now. I've been using other headphones since then. Not sure if it really matters to you, but the newer iPods have encrypted firmware. Doesn't affect playback but if you're into modding or putting linux on it and stuff like that you'll be in for a disappointment. The majority of people aren't, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. I don't do any modding myself, but I guess knowing I can gives me some peace of mind... I'm just weird like that.

My personal vendetta against Micro$oft aside, I've heard both good and bad things about the Zune. It looks nice and has a larger screen, but I can't vouch for its playback capabilities (and knowing M$, it's probably loaded with more DRM nonsense than you can imagine).

Do some research on both. That's all the advice I can really give you.

 

[Keith Justice]

If your big into music and podcasts, I hear more and more the Zune is actually quite the killer machine.

Tycho of Penny Arcade stands by it and his is an opinion I hold in pretty high regard.

Still... iPod Touches... couple guys in the office have one and they're pretty farking amazing.

 

[MegaRyu124x]

Thanks guys.

Well I haven't made a decision yet, but it seems my iPod can still be saved. I found a couple videos on YouTube of how to resurrect the fucker, and so I'll be trying it out. Right now I'm backing up all my music (shoulda done this months ago...), and hopefully the trick works.