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Zune HD vs. iPod touch: The Definitive Comparison
In preparing my review of the Zune HD, I've found that comparisons with Apple's best-selling iPod touch are inevitable. In fact, they're frequent. Again and again, I've found myself accessing Apple's tech specs for the iPod touch and Microsoft's tech specs for the Zune HD. Why not, I thought, combine them? You know, like two great tastes that go together?
Paul Thurrott
September 15, 2009
3 Min Read
In preparing my review of the Zune HD, I've found that comparisons with Apple's best-selling iPod touch are inevitable. In fact, they're frequent. Again and again, I've found myself accessing Apple's tech specs for the iPod touch and Microsoft's tech specs for the Zune HD. Why not, I thought, combine them? You know, like two great tastes that go together?
Thus this handy reference chart. With your help, I'm happy to update it with anything relevant, and I'd like to keep it as up-to-date and complete as possible. One thing I will point out right away: I did not--and will not--include the 8 GB iPod touch in this chart. That model is a relic from last year and is only still being sold so Apple can keep a toe in the low-end of the market. But the 8 GB iPod touch does not include the processing capabilities found in this year's models, and I don't consider it a real part of the iPod touch line. (It would be like including information about the also out-of-date Zune 16 or 120.)
So let me know if you see any mistakes or any missing information.
Feature | Zune HD | iPod touch |
|---|---|---|
Availability | US only | Worldwide |
Price/capacity | $200 - 16 GB$270 - 32 GB | $300 - 32 GB$400 - 64 GB |
Available colors | BlackPlatinumRedGreenBlue | Black |
Case customization | Custom colors, case designs via Zune Originals (online) | Text engraving from Apple Store (online) |
Size | 52.7 mm x 102.1 mm x 8.9 mm | 61.8 mm x 110 mm x 8.5 mm |
Weight | 2.6 ounces | 4.05 ounces |
Battery life | Music: up to 33 hoursVideo: up to 8.5 hours | Music: up to 30 hoursVideo: up to 6 hours |
Charge time (A/C adapter) | 2 hours | 4 hours |
Charge time (USB/PC) | 3 hours | 4 hours |
Screen | 3.3 inch, 16:9 OLED display480 x 272 | 3.5 inch, LCD display480 x 320 |
Multi-touch capable | Yes | Yes |
Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
CPU | NVIDIA Tegra | Samsung ARM |
Video output | 720p HD (requires optional AV Dock) | 480p SD (standard definition, requires optional cables or dock) (576p SD internationally) |
Features unique on-screen UI when connected to TV | Yes | n/a |
Radio | FM and HD Radio receivers | n/a |
Bluetooth | No | Yes |
Wi-Fi | Yes (802.11b/g) | Yes (802.11b/g) |
Wireless sync between PC and device | Yes | No |
Wireless access to online store | Yes | Yes |
Content available from online store | Music, podcasts, TV shows, movies, applications | Music, podcasts, TV shows, movies, audiobooks, applications |
Number of available apps (including games) | Several | Tens of thousands |
Subscription music service | Zune Pass, $14.99/month | n/a |
Audio format support | MP3, WMA, Protected WMA, WMA Lossless, AAC, Audible | MP3, AAC, Protected AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV, Audible |
Video format support | H.264, MPEG-4, WMV, DVR-MS (transcoded) | H.264, MPEG-4 |
Speaker(s) | n/a | 1 |
App: Photo viewing | Yes | Yes |
App: Web browser | Yes | Yes |
App: Email | No*(* can read/send email from web-based services in web browser.) | Yes |
App: Calendar | No | Yes |
App: Contacts | No | Yes |
App: Clock | Yes | Yes |
App: Calculator | Yes | Yes |
App: You Tube | No | Yes |
App: Voice recording | No | Yes |
App: Stocks | No | Yes |
App: Notes | No | Yes |
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