Harddrive Zune & iPod Classic Comparison

Zune 80/120

iPod Classic

$229 (80GB), $249 (120GB) (USD)

$249 (120GB) (USD)

20,000 songs (80GB); 30,000 songs (120GB)

30,000 songs (120GB)

3.2″ Liquid Crystal display with 320 x 240 resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio, also features both portrait and landscape display modes.

2.5″ " Liquid Crystal display with 320 x 240 resolution, displays information in both portrait and landsape display modes.

Can play WMA, WMA Loseless, MP3, and unprotected AAC audio files as well as video files encoded in WMV, MPEG-4, and H.264 formats. Photos can only be seen on the player if they are in the JPEG(JPG) format. The Zune 80 and 120 can play video in the MPEG-4 and H.264 formats without the need of a software conversion a feature, that it’s older brother the Zune 30 lacks.

Can play AAC, Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, H.264, .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5, AAC-LC, .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video.

FM Tuner with programmable presets. 802.11 B and G wireless communication for Zune to Zune sharing of music, pictures, and podcasts. Also includes the ability to use personal pictures as wallpaper for your device, Purchase songs you discovered while listening to radio stations, with RDS and RDS+ support. Also included in the Fall 2008 update was the ability to stream and purchase music directly from the Zune Marketplace via it’s built in wireless.

Includes video out, has a large collection of third-party accessories, an entire catalog of music videos, tv shows, and audio thanks to the iTunes Store. You can also download games via iTunes as well as audiobooks.

Using Zune software and the Zune Marketplace designed specially with the Zune in mind the owner can download music from the Zune Marketplace, their own music library, or rip it from their CD collection and use the included USB cable to transfer media to their device. Following a firmware update in November 2007 the player can now also sync wirelessly with a home network, or purchase music directly from the Zune Marketplace via wireless.

Using iTunes software and iTunes Store, user’s can rip music from their own CD collection and transfer media to the device using the included USB cable.

Included with your purchase are the Zune player itself, a USB Cable used for connecting to your PC, and the generation two magnetic ear buds. A "Getting Started Guide" is also included.

Included with your purchase is the iPod Nano itself, Earphones, USB cable, dock adapter and a "Getting Started Guide".

Uses a Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery built in to the player. For music playback the battery will last 24 hours (wireless off); video, up to 4 hours. The same goes for pictures & slide shows as well. One full charge takes 3 hours.

Up to 36 hours of music playback; up to 6 hours of video playback

With side buttons and the ZunePad the device weighs just 4.5 ounces,and is 61.1 mm x 108.2 mm x 12.9 mm. You may choose between the colors of black, and red. You can also order both capacites online through the Zune Orginals site and customize the back plating of the device with text and different images.

The iPod Nano retains all previous generations’ touch sensitive wheel allowing you to browse through your media. You may choose between devices in black, and gray. The device itself is 4.1 x 2.4 x 0.41 inches inches and weighs 4.9 ounces. You can order a customized player with text from the Apple website.