Comments on: Larry Dignan’s Zune Fantasy Highlights CNET’s ZDNet Blogger Credibility Problems

By: Staticnumeric

Staticnumeric — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:45:54 +0000

…I like the Zune 80 better than the iPod Classic. There. I said it. However, I would not recommend a Zune 4/8 for any other reason but the interface. Apple has Microsoft beat on the Zune 4/8’s hardware.

But the only thing stopping my purchase of a Zune 80 to replace my 4G iPod is the lack of Zune software on OSX,which is really a shame.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:18:37 +0000

I just heard on the business report that the #1 selling computer at Amazon was the MacBook! Incredible!

By: mmbossman

mmbossman — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:37:52 +0000

Beanie seems to be a troll from zunescene (which I visit when I need a quick laugh), because I’ve seen an almost identical argument there, right down to the zune flashes selling “briskly”. As of this moment, the highest selling flash zune is ranked at 48 in MP3 players on Amazon. And while this may not be the end-all and be-all of what consumers are buying, whenever a first gen zune (briefly) tops the list due to it costing less than half of what it usually does, all the zune fanatics are beside themselves with glee about how it’s finally beating the iPod. And they complain about mac fans drinking the kool-aid… geez.

By: beanie

beanie — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 21:13:01 +0000

Zune seems to be selling and far from being a failure this year. I think you are blinded by childish Mac versus PC marketing mentality. The reality is that it was a breakout couple of months for the Zune brand.

Zune 80GB black is selling well. Most major retailers have it in stock and it is selling quite well. Zune 4GB black and Zune 4GB pink are selling briskly.

Zune 30GB is selling better than last year. Amazon itself ran out and re-ordered Zune 30GB black and brown. So much for the fire-sale argument. The price point of $149-$199, storage space, and screen size are the appeal even though it does not look as nice as the new Zune form-factor.

[When you repeat that the Zune is "selling well," do you have any source for that, or are you hoping to wish that idea into existence as a fact? At a $149 (often as low as $80) price point, that's not a sale, but a liquidation. It was designed to be sold at $300, forced down to $250 by Apple's competitive prices, and couldn't do anything but sit on shelves until the fire sales began. I've heard from lots of people who bought them for $80 and said it sure wasn't worth a penny more. - Dan]

By: studiodave

studiodave — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:50:41 +0000

Josh, As long as people are saying that the dead horse is winning the race we need to drag it through the streets to prove that it truly is dead.

Not a real horse mind you.

By: His Shadow

His Shadow — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:48:50 +0000

Josh, the time to move on will be when the Microsoft shills cease repeating their myths, lies and deceptions concerning Apple. Until that time when they either grow up, or ZDnet grows up and fires these pathetic excuses for tech writers, they deserve to have Microsoft’s myriad failures rubbed in their faces for as long as it takes them to realise that Apple is on top again, bigger and better than ever. Microsoft doesn’t have a hope of catching Apple because they cannot use them same old tricks in markets where they have to compete on merit, and it’s time that someone told ZDnet that, loudly and continously.

By: josh

josh — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:46:41 +0000

dan, at this point you are beating a dead horse. you’ve long since made your point about the zune and it’s time to move on…

By: gus2000

gus2000 — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 01:33:40 +0000

Someone recently challenged my high-tech ideology, demanding to know if I would buy a Zune if it were not sold by Microsoft. “You only bought that iPhone because it’s made by Apple,” I was told.

Upon reflection, I conceded they were right but not for the reasons they suspected. When you purchase a product, you are also purchasing the company: it’s branding and style, yes, but also it’s support, product lifecycle, accessories, integration, and so forth. Based on the last 25 years of buying Microsoft products, it is risky investing in one of their platforms.

On the other hand, I am firm believer in the direction Apple is taking their products. Did I buy an iPhone just because it’s made by Apple? Damn right. I looked long and hard at nearly every phone on the market, always disappointed and thinking “sheez I wish Apple made a phone.” I didn’t fully realize how bad the cellphone situation was until I got an iPhone in my hands. I buy Apple for their reputation, and because of my positive experiences with their other products. I avoid Microsoft for same reason.

I think most people understand the difference, and frankly the ZDnet bloggers get the page hits because they’re the loud drunk at the party. Without an intellectual contribution, that novelty is going to quickly decay.

By: studiodave

studiodave — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:39:49 +0000

Yes it is true the Zune could out sell the iPod, If,

Apple renamed the iPod to Zune.

I leave for now, Laughing at everything Microsoft.

By: Vista vs Mac OS X Security: Why George Ou’s ZDNet Vulnerability Numerology is Absurd — RoughlyDrafted Magazine

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:30:08 +0000

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