Before you read anything else about the new Zune, we'll just say this: We don't hate it. Actually there's a lot to love like about this redux version of Microsoft's media player. Engineered from the ground up by the boys and girls at Redmond, the new Z has been retooled inside and out in a number of subtle ways.
- Better building materials (glass screen instead of plastic.)
- Retooled controls (bye-bye scroll wheel, hello 4-way touchpad.)
- More native video codecs for h.264 and MPEG-4.
- Synchronization of video from your Media Center PC.
- Wi-Fi sync to a host computer.
Microsoft was kind enough to drop off an 8GB and 80GB to Gadget Lab headquarters a few days ago and we've got all the unboxing photos for you to scope out. Scroll down to see 'em all.
Oh ho ho, both the 8GB and 80GB Zunes in one package...
Okay let's cut the 8GB flash based version open first and see what's inside.
Yep, that's a flash based Zune 2 alright. These models will come complete with 1.8-inch screens (as opposed to the new Nano's 2-inch screen), measure in at 1.6 x 3.6 x 0.33-inches, and will set you back $200 for the 8GB version, $150 for the 4GB version.
W00t! There it is. We got a red one, but the 4GB and 8GB Zunes will be available in black, green, and pink hues too. Curiously enough, brown is missing from the lineup.
Here's everything that came with the 8GB Zune. No real surprises here. We've got multicolored earpads, USB cord, a welcome aboard pamphlet, and instruction manual amongst other things. (Note: the utility knife was, sadly, not included in the packaging and the 80GB Zune somehow squeaked into the left hand frame of the picture.)
And now the 80GB version of the Zune. It sports a 3.2-inch screen, will sell for $250 (with premium headphones) and comes in any color you want — as long as it's black.
Hey it's a lot like the 8GB model — only larger with 10 times the memory.
Happiness is a new Zune. It also could be due to the fact that the whole ridiculous 3x3 song sharing DRM thing has had its three day restriction dropped like a hot tater. Sort of. You can still only listen to a song three times before it dissipates.
And here's what it looks like standing up in its box. It measures 2.4 x 4.25 x 0.5-inches — roughly 1/3 smaller than Zune classic.
The entire contents of the 80GB Zune package. Note the "premium" headphones at bottom. They're held together by the magic of magnets.
Here's the 80GB and 8GB side by side with screens on and menus ablaze. Yup yup, Zune now supports podcasts too (for sync only though.)
So far so good, Microsoft. Unboxings are fantastic and all but they're no substitute for real testing. That's why we ported both Zunes around with us for the better part of a week. Check out our full (and I do mean full) reviewsfor the 8GB here and the 80GB version here.
