PC Magazine - 2009 11.pdf - Libertad Zero

FIRst looks CONSUMER ELECTRONICSMicrosoft Zune HDZune Aimsfor AppleAfter years of trying, hasMicrosoft finally beat Appleat its own game? Well, notquite. But the fantastic ZuneHD certainly gives the iPodtouch some worthy competition. The lackof a robust App Store is the only drawbackfor the Zune HD, which otherwise flauntsa beautiful touch-screen, an excellent userinterface, HD radio, and the best browserwe’ve seen since the Apple’s mobile Safari.While the touch is a better touch-screenplayer, the Zune HD is a close second.A very good-looking gadget, the 16GBZune HD is Onyx Black and the 32GB versionis Platinum Silver. This Zune has asmaller, lighter frame than the iPod touch,measuring 4.0 by 2.1 by 0.4 inches (HWD)and weighing just 2.6 ounces. However, theZune’s 3.3-inch OLED screen is noticeablysmaller than the touch’s 3.5-inch LCD, butvideo still looks great on it. The touch andZune HD seem nearly identical in touchscreensensitivity.Microsoft’s software updates, however, arestill clunkier than Apple’s. But once you’reup and running, the software and interfaceare impressive. Also, the Zune HD supportsonly MP3, WMA, and unprotected AAC files.The best new music feature on the Zune HDMicrosoft Zune HD16GB, $219.99 direct; 32GB, $289.99l l l l hPros Gorgeous multi-touch OLED screen.Intuitive user interface with sharp, goodlookinggraphics. Strong Web browser. Wirelessmusic purchasing, downloading, and syncing.HD radio.Cons Limited HD video support. Very slimpickings in the App section of the Zune Marketplace.is the ability to purchase music wirelessly,thanks to integrated 802.11g. The Zune Marketplacemakes it easy to browse for musicon the player or your PC, but the Apps sectioncurrently has a very limited selection.Overall, Microsoft has shown Apple thatit, too, can make an attractive, easy-to-useplayer. If Microsoft is able to give birth to anApp Store that can rival Apple’s, then therace could get interesting.—Tim Gideon>>CLICK HERE FOR MORENOVEMBER 2009 PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION 33