Zune Hd Vs Ipod Touch

This Zune HD Vs iPod Touch comparison is perfect for those thinking about purchasing either one of these devices. The Zune HD is Microsoft’s foray into the portable media market. The iPod Touch or iTouch on the other hand, is one of Apple’s premier music and entertainment products.

At this point in time, some may consider a Zune HD Vs iPod Touch matchup to be a one-sided beatdown. After all, Microsoft is rumoured to discontinue the Zune HD due to poor sales. In comparison, Apple has released the 4^th generation iPod Touch and is firmly entrenched as the industry leader in this field.

However, while the Zune HD is on the verge of extinction, there are still cheap brand new and refurbished units available from select retailers. The secondary market is also teeming with countless second hand and used players being continuously bought and sold. The Zune’s probable demise may have been due to Microsoft’s marketing approach but as for the device itself, the Zune still remains relevant by virtue of its impressive hardware.

The iPod Touch on the other hand really needs no introduction. The ubiquitous device is a favorite among technophiles and casual users alike. The iPod Touch is basically an iPhone sans the calling feature.

When contemplating the Zune HD Vs iPod Touch differences, apps (or lack thereof) may be the first issue that comes to mind. The Zune HD never really took off because it lacked the tens of thousands of third party apps available on the iPod Touch. In many ways, the Zune HD is more like a glorified iPod Nano than an iPod Touch competitor.

The iPod Touch also used the popular iTunes music store. Music lovers were so enamored with iTunes not only because of the plethora of content available but also because of its simplicity. With but one single click, customers can buy, load and sync all the media they will ever need once their iTunes account has been set up. The Zune Marketplace offers pretty much the same thing but in a more complicated manner with much less content.

The Zune does have some superiority when it comes to hardware and features. The Zune HD’s vibrant 3.3” OLED screen for instance trumps the old iTouch 3G’s 3.5” screen. The iTouch 4G does outperform both devices with double the resolution and a Retina Display feature that takes into account the capability of the human eye.

The Zune HD also has HD radio which is not available on the Apple iTouch 3G and iTouch 4G. In addition, the Microsoft Zune HD has a 720p HDTV output that is only found in the Apple iPod Touch 4G.

Ultimately, when breaking down the Zune HD Vs iPod Touch comparison, it ultimately boils down to one’s personal needs. The Zune HD is basically a media player but a very good one at that. While the iPod Touch also plays different media formats, it is also a personal digital assistant and a gaming console.

Cost wise, the Zune player has spiralled down in price due to the fact that it has been dropped from the official line of Microsoft products. Used Microsoft Zune HD players are also depreciating much faster than Apple iPod products. A well-cared for iPod Touch does tend to hold its value rather well.

Those who want a device primarily for listening to music to and watching videos with should give the Zune HD another look. The technology is by no means obsolete and is very affordable new or used. Those with deeper pockets who want a device that does a little of everything should consider the iPod Touch 4G.