Microsoft's Zune is a very personal piece of equipment. Therefore, buying a Zune involves some very personal choices. In the end, it will be a personal expression of self, with its owner naming it, and loading it with chosen music, pod casts, movies, audio books, and the like.
This is not a cheap mp3 player, yet it will still endure the test of time, so looking at it as something of a long-term relationship is a good place to start when considering this purchase.
One of the foremost things to consider when buying a Zune is how it will be used. This will help to decide what size to buy. Someone wanting to carry it everywhere for listening to music and audio books, or to keep up with some daily news, may wish to go with one of the smaller sizes. Someone else may want to use it primarily for watching movies and TV shows, and would therefore choose a larger storage capacity.
Along with these things comes the compatibility with a computer setup. Slower internet speeds may not warrant choosing the largest capacity in any mp3 player, yet some of the smaller sizes will be just enough, and work well with daily updating (for example, with mobile broadband, for times spent on the road). Some browsers do not support the format of some software, so checking this compatibility is also an important factor (software can be downloaded at zune.net).
Once the desired size and compatibility has been determined, another obvious consideration, for some potentially not-so-obvious reasons, will be the color. Each of Zune's sizes will offer a variety of available colors. This may seem like a no-brainer, however, this goes along with the long term relationship issue, once again. A bright and shiny electric blue may initially have some wow factor, yet a year later it may not feel the same when sitting around listening to the Wall Street Journal in a conservative business suit. Yet, for a teenager, or even a musician and various others, it may still be the perfect choice.
Caring for a Zune is also a part of owning one, so when purchasing this mp3 player, how it will be carried is as important as what it will be used for. As with any piece of electronic equipment, certain things (such as the screen) will be vulnerable to bumping and scraping when left unprotected. Someone who wishes to carry it in a pocket, with potential for it to fall out, will want to consider a cushioned case to shield from these things. Someone else may carry it inside a protective pocket in a purse, so may only want a slip cover to protect from debris. Looking at what types of cases are available for a chosen size can help to prolong its life, so is a good thing to consider when purchasing one. Some quality choices for these can be found at myincipio.com.
With careful thought and consideration when buying a Zune, a long term relationship with a chosen mp3 player will inevitably be a satisfying and enjoyable experience.