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Strengths: Mineral glass LCD cover, beautiful red finish, touch pad and click controls, easy interface, loaded with custom settings and menu features, very thin and light, FM radio with digital information
Weaknesses: Supplied earphones are a little too large for my ears. Doesn't come with a protective leather case.
Summary: The 8 GB. offers great sound whether using the FM radio or the the other media formats. MP3s, WMAs, CDs, or purchased media, are simple to install using the software interface - and the conversion and sync to the player keeps storage use way down without compromising sound quality. I purchased Sennheiser PXC250 headphones and overcame the poor fit of the factory supplied earplugs - but even the earplugs offered great sound reproduction. Stereo separation using either the radio or media formats is remarkably excellent using whatever stereo headphones you connect. Treble and Bass response is also high to very good. You won't be hearing any distortion from the Zune so long as the media was good to begin with - and the FM radio is a strong one offering 20 pre-sets and a very easy and fast station search feature. That radio also formats for European and Japanese stations if travel is in your schedule.
Operation of the Zune is flawless, and you get updates to improve the firmware with each new advancement. Just connect the Zune to your computer, the software program will open, and you can install the latest firmware when prompted. One thing to note is the software doesn't install to Windows XP Professional X64, and there are two different versions for the X64 (64-bit) and X86 (32-bit) Operating Systems that are supported. I use my Zune with Vista Ultimate X64 and XP Professional 32-bit with zero problems.
The 8 GB. size also offers enough storage to prevent the need for frequent changes to the stored music. The small physical size of the 8 GB. Zune makes it an ideal companion while working or working out. I keep mine protected in the belt case that came with the Sennheisers I purchased, while the Zune isn't in use. You will want a protective case of some type to protect the Zune - although it has survived several drops in my use without protection and has sustained no damage. Still, I might have just been lucky.
The battery life is also excellent. The FM radio is the largest power hog of the features and even it will play all day long before needing a battery recharge. I typically use my Zune 2-3 days before it needs a recharge. The video screen also consumes some power, but the Zune will play a four hour video from a fully charged state to a full discharge and the settings features can lower the amount of time it stays on when not watching a video.
Hold onto you hat. The wi-fi will blow you away! I have my Zune paired with my Linksys WRT350N router with my computers and it works like a champ using the latest security protocols (your computer actually sets this up while you use the USB charging/data cord). No it's not wireless-N, but it is wireless-B and G. That also allows you to sync your Zune with the Zune of another - and transfer media back and forth.
If you were expecting anything cheap about the appearance of the 8 GB. Zune, forget it. This is one solid little candy bar you'll really enjoy at 1.7 ounces. Also, consider the Zune to be "feature rich" as it definitely is. The only exception to the quality found here might be the factory earpieces - but they are easily replaced! I already hear an echo in the back of my head - "iPod who?".
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