October 8th, 2009 
Kris Saelen 
In the continuing struggle to keep up with the behemoth that is Apple, Microsoft has updated their much derided Zune. The newest incarnation, the Zune HD, proves that good things comes to those who wait. The most noticeable and immediate change is the look – gone are the days of a laughable, mud colored mess from what seemed like the stone age. The new design is straight out of the new Star Trek movie – glossy, high tech, and hard to tear your eyes away from.
Thankfully, the changes don’t stop there. The remarkable 3.3 inch touchscreen is easy to use and has beautiful, 480 x 272 pixel resolution that makes pictures truly HD. Beyond just radio support, the Zune HD offers HD radio support, which allows the user even more freedom and variety of use. What’s more, with a newly extended battery life that beats its competitor, it’s hard not to be tempted to rage against the machine and drop your iPod Touch for the Zune HD.
While certainly a valid option, there are also some key drawbacks to the Zune HD worth paying attention to. Most notable is probably the fact that the Zune HD, for all its shine and high tech allowances, is still just a media player through and through. None of the multitasking features that Apple is so renowned for are present here, and for some it might be a refreshing change. For others, it’s just another piece of machinery to have to carry around.
The other drawback, surprisingly, is the price. While the initial cost of the Zune HD is certainly lower than the iPod Touch, its nearest competitor, there’s a rather substantial catch. In order to access the full capabilities and advantages of the Zune HD, you need a Zune Pass, which adds up to a rather staggering extra $180 a year. Sure, going without is an option, but then you’ll also be without a lot of the standout features of the Zune HD. Ultimately, it’s a great option if you’re absolutely against Apple…but given the choice, I’d probably still pick up the iPod Touch instead.
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