Editorial Review
Music and entertainment, your way. That's what the Zune 4 GB Digital Media Player is designed to deliver. The Zune easily connects you with your music, videos, and pictures wherever and whenever you want, and unlike the iPod, it even has a built-in FM tuner so you can keep up with local news and sports. Your Zune gives you the power to wirelessly share full-length tracks, playlists, pictures and podcasts with your other Zune-wielding friends, and it is available in four bold colors. And when you receive songs that you just can't get out of your head, you can easily tag the songs and buy them the next time you sync up. Whether you're listening to music, radio, or rocking out to the latest music videos on the bright, roomy screen, the Zune allows you to tailor your entertainment, right in the palm of your hand. Watch a demo on Zune.
The Zune easily connects you with your music, videos, and pictures wherever and whenever you want, and it is available in four bold colors. |
Share full-length tracks of your favorite songs, albums, playlists, pictures, and even audio podcasts with other Zune users. (Red Zune shown here with Dock Pack v2 with remote, sold separately.) |
Store up to 1,000 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 12 hours of video. |
Get all your favorite music at the Zune Marketplace. |
Simple, Innovative Controls The Zune is a breeze to use with new, intuitive touch controls. Don't subject yourself to cumbersome, slow scrolling. The innovative new Zune pad makes browsing your music, video and picture collections fun and effortless. You'll fly through your favorites and get to just what you're looking for in no time flat. This powerhouse device stores up to 1,000 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 12 hours of video. (Please note that music estimates are based on 128 kbps WMA files, with length of 4 minutes each; pictures transferred to Zune will be optimized for Zune screen size; and video estimates are based on 500 kbps WMV files with 128 kbps WMA audio tracks.)
That's a lot of entertainment, and you'll appreciate it even more with the Zune's awesome screen. The super-slim, ultra-portable Zune sports a durable, 1.8-inch color screen that provides uncompromising portable video viewing. This Zune also comes equipped with headphones and three pairs of foam headphones covers. Your favorite music, videos, and pictures have never looked and sounded better.
FM Radio
The Zune also features a built-in FM radio tuner so that you can listen to local FM stations or tune-in programming while you're at the gym. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song that's currently playing on select frequencies.
Wireless Sync
We're all exhausted by the cables and wires that tangle up our lives. Luckily, the Zune is one device that doesn't require another cord. You can easily connect to your home wireless network and sync your Zune with your PC collection of digital goodies. You can also sync using the dock, AC adapter, or speaker dock accessory (not included).
The Zune Community and Marketplace
Zune is all about sharing and community. At the Zune Online Community, you'll discover, share, and leave your musical mark. Create a Zune card and Zune profile page to reflect your musical identity. From the Zune Online Community, you can invite friends, share song recommendations, post comments, and browse member pages to unearth new tunes and connect to others who share your musical tastes.
When you're ready to purchase music and load your device with new tunes, turn to Zune Marketplace. With more than 3 million songs, DRM-free MP3s, music videos, audio/video podcasts, and more content added every day, you'll certainly get your fill. The store is always open and just a mouse click away. You can also choose between the download or subscription packages--buy individual songs and albums, or snag a Zune Pass subscription with all you can eat access to discover and explore the nooks and crannies of artists and genres.
Zune-to-Zune Sharing
Once your Zune is loaded with good stuff, you'll be ready to embrace wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing. Share full-length tracks of your favorite songs, albums, playlists, pictures, and even audio podcasts. You can listen to the full track of any song you receive up to three times, and you can even pass along songs that are shared with you to other friends. If you find a song you really love, you can easily add it to your wishlist and buy it later when you sync to your PC. When it comes to syncing and importing your music, the Zune makes it easy. Zune software can automatically import your existing music, pictures, and videos from iTunes and Windows Media Player in a variety of formats, including your existing playlists and song ratings.
Recorded TV or Movies to Go
The Zune will also automatically import TV shows or movies recorded using a PC running Windows Media Center in Windows Vista. Record all your favorites, sync to your Zune, and hit the road with your favorite TV shows right in your pocket.
Your Games. Your Music. Your Way.
Another awesome feature is the Zune's compatibility with the Xbox 360. Plug your Zune into your Xbox 360 to customize the soundtrack in supported games. You also can stream music, pictures, and videos from the Zune software on your PC to your Xbox 360 console using a wireless connection. Whether you're staying in or going out, travelling or working, the Zune can be right there with you, providing loads of entertainment direct from your pocket.
What's in the Box
Zune 4 GB Digital Media Player, headphones, sync cable, and three pairs of foam headphone covers.
Cached date: AWS Called=true
Customer Reviews
Tiny Powerhouse 
2008-06-26
Got this after I sold my first gen Zune which I would rarely use. The screen was the first suprise- crisp and high detail. I also love the scratch-proof metal back, and the tiny pocketable size.
I use it every day in the car to listen to music as well as podcasts (another great feature from the 2nd gen!) and the quality is great. Battery life is also really good.
The only thing I don't love is the Zune desktop- although I hope they can make it more feature-rich in later versions.
Definitely one of my better purchases.
drawbacks of zune 
2008-06-25
# USB cable has a non-standard jack at the device end. Standard USB interface cables such as used by digital cameras and portable hard disk would make sense
# obscure software - had trouble installing on Windows XP.
# could not find a way to use zune as a USB drive (as against creative's players)
# device heavily tied with the software - restricts portability.
overall not worth the hassle and price.
STAY AWAY 2008-06-23
We can NOT download the software to even get started. The "support" pages are a joke. My son tried and he has a computer science/engineering degree from a Big 10 university. This is the biggest rip-off ever. Hopefully we can return it, but what a terrible disappointment for my 13 year old.
AWESOME MUSIC PLAYER!!! 
2008-06-22
Why would anyone want an ipod? the zune pad is ten times easier and faster and cooler-looking than the ipod's "thumb-dislocating" clickwheel. The whole thing looks way better than even the ipod nano, too. It has the same features as an ipod classic, but also an FM radio, the Zune Social and games are available for download.
This is a great music player.
NerdBoyTV gives high marks to Microsoft's Zune 4GB 2008-06-22
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1WKAP2Z3TL9KI In this episode of NerdBoyTV (a weekly video podcast on technology, Internet services, and gadgets), Ryan Yee reviews Microsoft's Zune 4GB MP3 Player and compares it to Apple's comparable iPod Nano. For more videos and links, go to http://www.NerdBoyTV.com.
Pretty cool... 2008-07-07
The Zune's LCD crystal-clear screen is so great! I watch many videos and download many (free!) video podcasts from the Zune software and they look as if they were being watched on an HDTV. That's definitely a point for Microsoft. The touchpad control is so easy to use, and it looks very sofisticated and somewhat futuristic. The sound quality of the headphones that are included is very good. The Zune software is very helpful, and I truly don't understand why anyone would be confused by it. However, don't get tricked into thinking you can't put music that was not downloaded from the Zune Marketplace as you might sometimes think from reading the instructions on how to get music. As long as the songs you've downloaded elsewhere are in a folder that is preset to sync with the Zune software, you'll have no problems and everytime you turn on your computer it'll update itself (sounds complicated but when you install the software it'll ask you from what folders you'd like to sync music from).
I have some complaints, though:
1) Zune only accepts two video formats: MP4 and WMV. Most videos are not in that format, but you can still find them if you look carefully.
2) The Podcast download process is slow. And I mean SLOW.
3) Unlike and ipod, it does not have a clock, games, or a calendar.
4) Very hard to find accesories unless you look for them online.
Otherwise a great buy. =)
Pleasantly Surprised 2008-07-03
It is too bad Microsoft didn't (couldn't?) release the original Zune at a lower price point as to better compete with the iPod.
I find this second generation Zune to be near perfect in its design, functionality, and overall feel.
This is the third media player I have owned. My first two were by SanDisk. I find the SanDisk players feel very cheap and they simply remind me of toys. The usb cable for the Zune looks identical to the cord for my SanDisk Sansa though and so I wonder if SanDisk makes the Zune.
I ordered my Zune from OfficeMax and so did not have a chance to play with it / try it out before purchasing it.
I must admit I was excited to discover the touchpad as I had not known this was a feature.
I have never owned an iPod and do not plan on owning one any time soon.
Generally speaking 'first' is always superior and with Microsoft playing catch-up I doubt they will ever be a serious player in the media player market.
I find the menu navigation of the Zune to be very intuitive with a nice look.
The sound from the included headphones is not great but like most iPod and media player owners, I will be buying higher-end headphones soon anyway.
Battery life is very good and as long as I remember to bring the usb cable I can just plug it into my pc at work and not waste battery time.
The touch-pad is just like you would find on a laptop and is very responsive. Again, maybe if the first Zune had this it would have truly taken off.
The case back is metal while the front is plastic with a rubberized (ala IBM laptop coating) feel.
I will not (and have no reason to) try to convince the Apple / iPod loyals that this is an option for them because they are already attached to a great product they love. What I will say is this. If you are not one of the anti-Microsoft/Bill Gates crowd, don't want or need to jump on the bandwagon, and want a truly nice player for you $, and have found a freat deal on one, pick up the Zune.
You will not be dissapointed.
I must warn you, I had mine on my desk for 10 minutes before someone walked over and said, "oh, is that a iPod wannabe?"
Like I said, the iPod loyalists remind me of far left fruitcakes, not only do they have an opionion and beliefs, but they cannot keep those two things to themselves.
Hope this helps.
Love It! 2008-07-02
First MP3 player for me, up until now I still used my old Sony Walkman. So being used to having the FM option, the Zune was the perfect fit for me! Also bought one for my husband and we both love it. The size is perfect and the features all work well, the sound is great and as I knew we would, we love the FM feature. Was a cinch to download the CD's onto our computer and then onto the device. With the box it comes in, the only way to charge the device is through your computer. I found (on Amazon) a great, inexpensive package of a wall charger, car charger, and a rubber skin to hold the Zune which can affix to a belt clip, arm band or hanging strap. Very, very happy with my Zune and accessories!!
Sweet!!! 2008-06-30
I was given an ipod nano for my birthday and found a lot of distortion on bass heavy music and the only way to stop it was turn off the EQ doing this made the music sound nerve grading and trebley I went online and found other reviews saying the same thing. My son recently got a zune and I asked him if I could test out the same songs on his zune,well the bass was clear as day with no distortion the next day I got a green one and love it, the only drawback is if I remove music from my computer to save space the zune software will remove the same music from my zune when re-synced but that's o.k. because it sounds so good. if you like hip hop, R and B or drum and bass or even tribal drumming you will be happier with the zune.
the ZUNE 2008-06-27
Very nice product. Once you down load the software from Microsoft and get that sqaured away the ZUNE is very nice. Very easy to rip CD's and burn to the player. I haven't tried to down load an audio book as yet. I have looked at some websites and no one has the ZUNE listed as a player they support. This could be a problem but haven't really checked it out.
