Review summaries for Microsoft Zune from expert mp3 player reviewers.
Audio:
'Audio' Rating is based upon specific opinions expressed by expert reviewers as shown below.
Interface:
'Interface' Rating is based upon specific opinions expressed by expert reviewers as shown below.
Battery:
'Battery' Rating is based upon specific opinions expressed by expert reviewers as shown below.
Image:
'Image' Rating is based upon specific opinions expressed by expert reviewers as shown below.
a pretty good player in its own right.
Microsoft Zune 8GB:PCMAG
The newly redesigned Zune software and Marketplace are perhaps the best thing about the flash-based player. The Zune's user interface is new and improved, and even owners of the original 30GB model can upgrade to the new version.
*
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The included earbuds provide a secure fit and a decent amount of low-end sound"
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the new iPod interface is clean and easy to use"
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The Zune's user interface is new and improved, and even owners of the original 30GB model can upgrade to the new version."
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the interface was unpleasant to navigate."
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Microsoft rates the Zune 8GB battery life of 24 hours for audio (when wireless is turned off)"
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The video clips I watched were bright"
large, bright screen
Microsoft Zune:PCWorld
A bit bulky. The Zune's audio sounds quite nice, too, on a par with that of the latest iPods and Creative players. Intuitive controls and interface. Videos looked crisp and clear on the 3-inch screen--and again, the extra bit of display space makes an appreciable difference over the course of extended viewing.
*
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The Zune's audio sounds quite nice, too, on a par with that of the latest iPods and Creative players."
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attractive interface"
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Intuitive controls and interface."
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large, bright screen"
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full video support"
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Videos looked crisp and clear on the 3-inch screen--and again, the extra bit of display space makes an appreciable difference over the course of extended viewing."
beautiful little LCD screen, quality accessories and substantial sound production
Microsoft Zune 8GB:DigitalTrends
Excellent sound quality. Simple interface. Weak headphones. Great battery life.
*
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Excellent sound quality."
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beautiful little LCD screen, quality accessories and substantial sound production"
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substantial sound production"
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Simple interface."
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Weak headphones."
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Great battery life."
a very rugged finish and a great choice for an on-the-go device.
Microsoft Zune Review:anythingbutipod.com
Sound quality is average at moderate listening levels, but tends to fall flat and louder volumes. The screen is very clear and accurate as far as displaying colors. When viewing photos full screen, you can access other features by pressing the center button. Photo sharing is uninhibited; you are free to do whatever you want once you receive images. Photos converted and transferred to the Zune are very easy to access and browse. It looks great with the included video filling an entire 16:9 wi...
*
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The very high end and the very low end are somewhat blurry"
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Sound quality is average at moderate listening levels, but tends to fall flat and louder volumes."
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The screen is very clear and accurate as far as displaying colors."
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When viewing photos full screen, you can access other features by pressing the center button."
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the interface is very easy to use across the room and very easy to navigate with the supplied remote."
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It looks great with the included video filling an entire 16:9 widescreen TV."
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Photos converted and transferred to the Zune are very easy to access and browse."
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Photo sharing is uninhibited; you are free to do whatever you want once you receive images."
Good sound
Microsoft Zune 8
:Stuff.tv
Brilliant performance and a stunning user experience in a gorgeous package. The iPod has finally met its match.
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Good sound"
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The menu system is fantastic – very intuitive and attractive, with only the slightest hint of lag – and the QVGA screen is crisp and bright, if small"
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Great navigation and interface."
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Cons Small screen."
cool and intuitive
Microsoft Zune:Laptopmag
The new Microsoft Zune is flash-based and flashy.
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It's available in black, green, pink, and red, with a decent size 1.8-inch screen that automatically switches to landscape mode for video and photo viewing."
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The Zune's interface is silky smooth."
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cool and intuitive"
Like a lot of you I fiddled with the Zune player at Best Buy and Target shortly after its release.
Microsoft Zune:Thetechlounge.com
Like a lot of you I fiddled with the Zune player at Best Buy and Target shortly after its release. The overall player design is quite simple and even rather...well, let's call it square.
*
sensible menu
Microsoft Zune:PCAuthority
Stacks of potential, but current hardware is underwhelming and the client software a mess.
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The fundamentals are undeniably there – the great screen, the excellent onboard software and the WLAN are all major plus points."
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sensible menu"
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the big, bright screen bringing up a sensible menu"
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Pictures and video look superb Pictures and video look superb: while the screen's standard aspect, the 3in diagonal, means you can just about get away with widescreen video"
even audio podcasts
Microsoft unveils second generation of Zune media players:Appleinsider
Users will also be able to navigate the Zune Pad using physical cues by pressing on the four sides or the center of the button to adjust the volume or choose the next track. Users will be able to flick their thumbs over the pad to browse through song lists or to fast-forward through picture slide shows or videos.
*
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Users will also be able to navigate the Zune Pad using physical cues by pressing on the four sides or the center of the button to adjust the volume or choose the next track."
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distinctive new interface menus"
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Users will be able to flick their thumbs over the pad to browse through song lists or to fast-forward through picture slide shows or videos."
It's quite pleasant
Zune 2.0 Review:Winsupersite.com
Those who are familiar with device sync in WMP 11 and iTunes might find Zune 2.0's device management features confusing. It's surprising that Microsoft doesn't let you manually switch the device between horizontal and vertical modes. It offers a vastly superior screen with a nicer user interface. Both the music and video experiences are superior.
*
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It offers a vastly superior screen with a nicer user interface."
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The Zune menu is logical and clear-cut"
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It's got a nice, large screen, a simple menu system, and intuitive controls"
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Battery life seems respectable"
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Both the music and video experiences are superior."
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new photo and screenshot galleries"
graphics are crisp, vibrant, and the video playback is smooth.
Microsoft Zune 8GB 2nd Generation:LaptopLogic.com
For a device this small, video playback is smooth on the tiny screen, and there wasn't too much motion blur. FM Radio The original Zune has this feature and it's great that this also made it into the little Zune as well.
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FM Radio The original Zune has this feature and it's great that this also made it into the little Zune as well."
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graphics are crisp, vibrant, and the video playback is smooth."