Zune AReviews

Zune 30 GB

After my teenage son played with my new Zune 80 GB, hooked it up to his Xbox and never returned it, I thought I would die.  But it's a good thing I was able to get an older and cheaper 30 GB model. (My sister got my earlier 30 GB model early this year.)   I thought I can live with that storage, until I realized I needed more space. My kid was kind enough to allow me to make a swap for "his" 80 GB Zune.

But not before I first tried out the 30GB model.  It's a wee bit thinner than the 80 GB model.  I guess that's a no brainer.  That miniature hard disk inside is smaller, just like in the iPod's 40Gb which is thinner than its 80Gb model.  I have to admit it's always better to have something smaller or thinner.  The Zune 30 GB is definitely easier on my pocket.  Other than that, I was really looking at an identical twin.  It's got the same premium earphone, USB data cable and pouch right out of the box.  Same display and features.  The directional pad seems dated but is just as easy to use.  Nothing to really complain about except perhaps the storage size.

If you just have mp3 files in them, 30GB is already a lot.  But with high bitrate mpeg4 music video files and my preference for uncompressed WAV files, 30GB would soon prove inadequate.  And I think even an 80 GB model would eventually.  I am sure future models would be sporting larger storage capacities so that should be no problem.  And who knows, some genius out there might stumble on a better algorithm to make truly audiophile-grade mp3 files.

Anyway, I have my 30GB Zune loaded with the mp3 files my son loves listening to and got my 80 GB Zune back.  There's some regret there as the thinner 30GB model has been a real delight to use just for its size alone.  I just wish I'd be content with smaller MP3 files as before.  Its stock premium earphone is at fault.  They revealed a much better sound for me using WAV files.  I am starting to play around with higher bitrate MP3 files in the 192kbps range and I seem to be unable to detect any more difference with the WAV files freshly ripped from my CDs.  I think I just found my solution to storage limitations.