Zune HD unboxing and hands-on

Engadget: "the Zune HD is most definitely a thing of beauty as far as gadget standards are concerned" and they "have been marveling at the clarity and crispness of that OLED display."

[Peter North]

Zune Zucks.

[thereapersson]

But I have to disagree with you when you say the Zune sucks. Not only does it have reliable hardware -- my Zune 80 surivived not just water, but beer being spilled all over it, as well as dropping from a height of nearly SEVEN feet -- but the software, especially after being updated to 4.0 is a breeze to operate. It flat-out beats iTunes in many ways, IMO.

Gotta love that AMOLED screen and HD video support, as well as the HD radio function. MS might not do a lot right, but the Zune is one thing they've managed to constantly improve on since its inception.

[PS3PCFTW]

zune sux on herpes

samsung mp3 players are better, have better screens and have more features

[N4G king]

well look at that

the poor mans walkman with a touch screen

lol
Microsoft can never do anything on there own

[Peter North]

Xbox 360 all over again.

[Madusha]

Looks pretty awesome but looks can be deceiving

[evrfighter]

Nvidia Tegra powered - In case you don't know this chip is nex-gen in the mobile market

OLED - Nex-gen in displays and won't be cheap

Wifi - Big plus

720p - wtf =\

HD Radio - hmmmm I guess this could be a con if there's only a few channels to choose from. (Not an owner of a regular zune but will probably be purchasing this one. Need a second opinion)

Cheaper than an Itouch

[LiL T]

Looks really nice, I like the oled screen, the price, the fact that all the cables are included and wifi. I am not sure about the whole subscription thing though. I am not familiar with the zune so can someone please explain the whole subscription thing and can I upload whatever songs I already have ( I know its a dumb question but you never know).

[siren]

The ZunePass lets you download "most music" and use it for as long as you remain a subscriber. Once you cancel, the non-purchased music goes away.

The cool bit is that each month you get 10 "credits" to buy up to 10 individual songs at no additional charge if you are a ZunePass subscriber. So in essence, you get the ZunePass subscripition for just $5 a month if you use all 10 credits each month.

In regards to HD Radio question, it still has normal FM radio to go with the HD Radio. So just more options.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

Too rich for me, but soooo tempting. Looks beatiful.

[N4G king]

the funny thing is steve balmer was making fun of the iphone
yet this looks almost like it

lol

[GameSpawn]

@1.5

Actually more so the iPod touch than the iPhone. Microsoft innovation at its greatest! When you want to make a new flashing product, why design it yourself? Steal it! ...or in other Microsoft cases buy it!

Come to think of it when did Microsoft last have an original idea of their own that wasn't bought or stolen?

[Random404]

You don't have to do the subscription. You can import your existing mp3's and non-drm itunes library without any problems.

[JOLLY1]

with the zune pas it cost 15 a month and you get to keep 10 tracks. Even after you stop the subscription, those songs are yours.

[LiL T]

Thanks siren, random & jolly that makes the decision eaiser and much more intresting. I really like the price of the zune hd and the clean oled display. I guess my GoPro camera for the motorcycle can wait till next year seeing as winter is around the corner and its gonna be parked.

[usern4g]

That's one sexy device. I'll be ordering a Zune HD Original later today.

[NaiNaiNai]

Can't wait to get my hands on one of these. Love the OLED as well.

[NaiNaiNai]

*update*

Now I really can't wait to get the Zune HD. The New Muse Album (The resistance) just hit stores here the US today. and the reviews for it are astounding.

And this will be the first thing I put on my new Zune.

*edit*
N4G King, from now on your on my ignore list, I'm done with that fanboy crap. Like I said earlier its to much work trying to be a douche bag all the time, I'll just enjoy my games, and now some of the best music in the world.

[Silentmerc3nary]

Muse ftw. Hence the pic. :)

[Christopher_Walken]

I would like one, but I can't justify having one after buying a 180 gig iPod Classic and a PSP Go.

The hardware does look very good though.

[Loxhart]

Love the UI.

[FordGTGuy]

It was announced earlier today that PGR: Ferrari Edition is coming to the Zune HD.

[wicked]

I want one, but not released in the UK :(

[Youg]

beautiful device. Microsoft have said that its not getting released outside the US "yet" so canada with the Zune platform already unlucky. i live in the UK so gotta order this off the web like my last zune... com'on microsoft release it 2 v world!!

[Saaking]

Full of Fail.

[XDF]

Saaking..King of a few words.

bots
RRod
and now a new vocabulary..fail

I have a new vocabulary for you. EAT SH!T AND DIE!!!

[N4G king]

nice damage control XDF

[LONEWOLF231]

Ill be buying one for my sis and myself today.
Just hope they havent sold out though.....

[air1]

looks good.. how much is it and how much memory? i dont know much about it. is it like the itouch built in memory :(

[Silentmerc3nary]

Something like 239 for the 16 gig, and 289 for the 32 gig. Hell of a lof cheaper than iPod Touch.

[air1]

thanks for the info

its still expensive though but the hd alone makes it worth it i guess. ill wait and see how it all plays out..

[WickedLester]

To those complaining about a 720p screen. 1080p would be pointless on a screen that small.

[The Great Melon]

The big thing is that it outputs 720p. Not that it displays 720p on a small screen. Although outputting 1080p would be an impressive feat.

[KingKionic]

This.....is godly .

[Silentmerc3nary]

UPS should be delivering mine later today from Amazon. Soo exited. :)

[Xi]

that thing looks absolutely stunning. If we ever decide to make a museum to the monuments of human aesthetics it'll consist of apple laptops and the zune.

[psiom]

Are they going to turn this into a gaming platform? Haven't really been following any Zune news.