Zune 30 Vs. Zune 80

I know everyone has already seen posts about the Zune vs the Ipod, but has anyone seen anything on the Zune 30 Vs the Zune 80? What are the benefits of upgrading to a Zune 80 from a Zune 30and do they really make it worth it? Here are the benefits of upgrading:

• A glass screen. This means less scratches. The 3.2 inch screen is bigger. The whole unit is also shinier because of the glass.
• The zune Pad (squircle) Touch-sensitivity is faster and may be easier for some people
  You get higher quality headphones. I know that most people, along with myself, have gotten new headphones instead of used the stock ones anyways, but this would be good for people who keep the stock headphones
• It's thinner and lighter, and has more storage. If you've filled your Zune 30 with music from your Zune pass (like I did), then a Zune 80 may help
• It has the buttons made a little differently. This is good for some people, because the old button size is good but not really when it's in certain cases

Now those are the benefits. Here are some of the downsides to upgrading:

• The glass screen can probably crack. I've seen this in pictures of Iphones, which are also glass. I hope Microsoft uses stronger glass than what Apple has been using
• Touch-sensitive technologies are also harder to use for some people, and it makes the zune have a less-tactile interface. I even saw someone try to get to the pictures menu with the squircle, and it took 3 attempts because of all of the times he messed up trying to do it
• It's a little more expensive than a Zune 30
• The bigger the screen, the easier it is to accidentally break it. Not saying the Zune's are weak, but my brother's Zune 30 screen cracked after a few months
• If you are a current zune 30 owner with many accessories, they will all work with the zune 80, but they may not match as well, I don't know how this will turn out. I already own 3 of the older docks, and I hope the Zune 80 will fit it nicely, I don't want to shell out another $150 for 3 new Zune docks.

So you decide if it's worth it. I know I'm getting the Zune 80, are you going to?

Comments

[Nick]

Also, even with new firmware, Zune 30 will not support native h.264/mpg4 codecs(must transcode) or 640x480 TV output, while the Zune 80 does.

[Nelson]

Great comparison overall. It is however worth noting the Zune Pad supports both Touch and Tactile feedback.

It's the best of both worlds! The touch sensitivity (as confirmed by Caesar) can also be turned off via the Settings menu.

[Sam Zebian]

I didn't know you can turn the touch sensitivity off, that's pretty cool, and it was one of the reasons my brother wasn't going to upgrade to a Zune 80. This way I can upgrade, and I won't have to give him my old zune so he can have a Zune with tactile feedback and a screen that isn't Broken. I also didn't know about it not supporting h.264 and mpg4 natively, I guess that's a bummer.

[Stephane]

I'm sure that the new glass screen will be more resistant the the Zune 30.

Many people reported problems with their Zune 30 screen and that problem was certainly addressed by Microsoft with the new Zune.

[Casey]

Zune 80 will be amazing! Only for the simple fact ITS SHINY! jk but i think its worth the upgrade, and if you cant afford it right away the zune 30 will have the same fermware with a download.

[Jun Alejandria]

I'm excited about the ZUNE 80gb with touch pad. My concern is Im thinking about replacing my IPOD VIDEO withe the ZUNE 80gb because I like the new screen and features. Will my limewire music downloads and my H.264 videos work with the ZUNE 80GB? Please help me before I buy the ZUNE....thanks everyone.

[Salam Zebian]

Limewire music will work and h.264 videos will also work.

[rudraksh]

Hey guys i have two minds on whether to buy the zune 80 or the zune 30...

I will be getting a zune 30 for 100$ for thanksgiving or a zune 80 for 250$...

is zune 80 worth the extra 150$ over the zune 30???

any comments would help thanks everyone....

[Sam Zebian]

I've got the Zune 80 now, and I've had a Zune 30, I personally think it's worth it, because I filled up my 30GB already!

[rudraksh]

Hey guys just wanted to know whether the zune 80 works with windows XP home edition...