I have owned a number of iPods over the years, in fact a 2nd, 4th and 6th generation one.
However, I have also never owned one that didnt need to go back for repair at least once in its lifetime.
The final straw was when my shiny new 6th generation 80Gig iPod Classic was unable to play half of my MP3 collection because of the skipping issue:These were MP3's that had worked fine on all their older generation units.
I dont know if they fixed that issue, and frankly I dont care..the bridges are burned.
What was I to do?
The only realistic alternative was the Zune80 - which you still cannot officially buy in Europe, and more worringly had no WhatHiFi review (reviews which I trust 99% every time).
I asked a friend who was travelling to get one for me at an American airport and I have never looked back.
Firstly, when I bought it the Zune was €100 cheaper than its Apple counterpart - always a good start.
Most importantly though it sounds better than all the Aplles up to and including the 6th generation.
There are no equaliser settings...but you simply don't need them.
I am, of course, not using the supplied headphones, just as I wouldnt if I was an Apple owner.
The Zune is also lighter in weight, has a larger sceen, includes .g wireless, and an FM radio.
You can also pair it with your XBOX360, and either stream to it via the Zune...or..replace the music played during games with your own collection.
I have not heard any other Zune, so please dont consider this as a wide approval.
However, if you are in the USA/Canada - or know someone who is - and need a new portable, dont pass the opportunity by!
It is surprising we havent all seen it in the spotlight, because essentially it makes the Apple Clasic - its main rival, seem pretty amateur.
However, I have also never owned one that didnt need to go back for repair at least once in its lifetime.
The final straw was when my shiny new 6th generation 80Gig iPod Classic was unable to play half of my MP3 collection because of the skipping issue:These were MP3's that had worked fine on all their older generation units.
I dont know if they fixed that issue, and frankly I dont care..the bridges are burned.
What was I to do?
The only realistic alternative was the Zune80 - which you still cannot officially buy in Europe, and more worringly had no WhatHiFi review (reviews which I trust 99% every time).
I asked a friend who was travelling to get one for me at an American airport and I have never looked back.
Firstly, when I bought it the Zune was €100 cheaper than its Apple counterpart - always a good start.
Most importantly though it sounds better than all the Aplles up to and including the 6th generation.
There are no equaliser settings...but you simply don't need them.
I am, of course, not using the supplied headphones, just as I wouldnt if I was an Apple owner.
The Zune is also lighter in weight, has a larger sceen, includes .g wireless, and an FM radio.
You can also pair it with your XBOX360, and either stream to it via the Zune...or..replace the music played during games with your own collection.
I have not heard any other Zune, so please dont consider this as a wide approval.
However, if you are in the USA/Canada - or know someone who is - and need a new portable, dont pass the opportunity by!
It is surprising we havent all seen it in the spotlight, because essentially it makes the Apple Clasic - its main rival, seem pretty amateur.