Hands-on with Zune Originals HD designs

The Zune Originals online store offers tons of colors and etching designs for the Zune HD.

You've held your tongue through all the Apple iPod propaganda. Resisted the temptation to put a stock, 32GB Zune HD on pre-order. You've scrimped and saved and patiently waited until the day when you could order your own unique blue, green, red, custom-etched, deluxe-packaged Zune Originals Zune HD.

Well, dear Zune-ster, that day has come. As of September 15, you can now log onto the Zune Originals online store and design your very own dream Zune HD. Beyond the two capacity options (16GB and 32GB), and five colors (black, platinum, green, blue, and red), you also get access to more than 50 etchings and the ability to inscribe your own personal message.

The downside to the whole Zune Originals option is that you're paying full price for your Zune HD, plus a few dollars more for some designs, and of course, there's shipping. But hey, what's a few extra bucks when it comes to letting your iPod-avoiding freak flag fly?

To get a better sense of the colors and designs available from Zune Originals, check out our hands-on photo gallery.

Zune HD Originals--photos

i am glad that i waited till feb 15 now i can get the color that i realy want

[PandaSage1221]

Wow, those are gorgeous. Wish I could afford one...

I'm kinda surprised they don't offer pink and orange, since those seem to be their colors of choice (which I love.)

[Remo_Williams]

Nice failure of the original page:

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Description: An error occurred during the parsing of a resource required to service this request. Please review the following specific parse error details and modify your source file appropriately.

Parser Error Message: Could not load type 'ITSP.Zune.Customize'.

Source Error:

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Line 3: <%@ MasterType VirtualPath="ZuneTemplate.Master" %>
Line 4:


Source File: /us/catalog/customize.aspx Line: 2

Version Information: Microsoft .NET Framework Version:2.0.50727.3082; ASP.NET Version:2.0.50727.3082

[f4denz]

I logged in early this morning and purchased my red one, with a MLS team logo (very cool feature) and I love that you can design one and publish it directly to facebook from the design site. It looks like MS is finally getting their act together. I noticed the new zune software is much quicker than the old version as well. Now it is just waiting for the one I ordered to show up in 5-7 days and picking up one at best buy today so I don't have to wait to get used to it.

[sssrcr85]

I'll buy the "non-original" one from you for $100 after you get the Original one. Deal?

[Arnav]

Donald, I actually bought this in the morning. There is no black option for the 32GB version and there are no color options for the 16GB version. The artwork does not cost extra but there are taxes to pay & you pay full retail.

Yep, no black 32gb yet, which sucks because the black is the best looking in my opinion and i need the 32gb, 16 isn't enough. It does say that all colors on both capacities are coming soon, but does anyone have an idea of when?

[tipoo_]

Those look incredible! The green one is calling my name, me thinks.


Still no word on a Canada/other part of the world beside the U.S launch though.

[Kendokill]

I'm buying one ASAP and am stoked. Time to throw the old brick to the curb!

[o2bpitching]

Hasn't Microsoft said that the Zune HD would only be available in the US?
If that's the case, it'll never be available in Canada...

[tipoo_]

They said only availible in the States FOR NOW. The original made its way into Canada in a few months, i expect it to be the same with this one.


Plus, there's always ebay if Microsoft don't heed my will :-P

[hakeis1]

I like the possibilitys of the Zune, but i can do without the Funky designs.

[davesmall1]

Before you spend your money on a Zune read the most thorough review currently available online.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/09/14/from_oled_to_tegra_five_myths_of_the_zune_hd.html&page=1

[tipoo_]

Thats not a review. That's biased fanboyism, as usual with that website. If your going to bash the Zune, at least have the courage to say why yourself, instead of posting a link to a biased website and claiming its a "review".

[TuesdaysDead]

That's gotta be the biggest load of fanboyism I've ever seen. Even as an owner of Apple products, that to me was just a pathetic excuse of a review.

[MokiHalo]

Come on small minded Dave. Give these people a review not a bunch of insecure propaganda:

http://gizmodo.com/5360126

[gn_id]

The appleinsider article is not a review, just a bash article before the device ever came out. Any other real reviews out there?

[Benigna-Marko]

I will continue to resist. I have been. Although, I have to say these are just screaming with fabulous colors.
Benigna Marko

[AppleSuxLeo]

I`m glad I waited...note: A Zune team member has indicated this may be the last device without a phone.
Zune is going to be everywhere and pervasive in Windows/Xbox.
Zune software (which is awesome) will be released for iPhone/touch in the future.
And if Apple doesn`t play nice ? Bam ! An anti-trust left hook to the jaw of Apple.

[jam985]

Do any of you consider the blue a "manly" color?

[tipoo_]

I'd get it, who gives a damn if someone doesn't think its many.

[Rapol12]

More photo Donald Bell, please Im trying to decide. Take the front too. Fast, I want to decide now to get it FASTER!! Please??lol

[tipoo_]

They only have the back plates.

[TCrimson05]

https://zunestore.net/us/catalog/index.aspx

[PandaSage1221]

The Zune HD is only for sale in the U.S. (as of now)... and the only sports league they have for engraving on Zune Originals is soccer? Does anyone else find this as hilarious as I do?

[xx_nevamore_xx]

well microsoft xbox sponsors the MLS and xbox 360 is the main sponsor of the Seattle Sounders (MLS team) so it kinda goes hand in hand..

[PandaSage1221]

Oh.. well, okay then. I didn't know that.

[mkoehne]

Wow, I just got my 32Gb Touch. Shipping and engraving were FREE! And it took exactly 77 hours from the time I ordered it to get to my house from Kunshan China. Beat THAT, MS!

[DestructoFox]

Would you like a cookie?

[play7]

No, because he be crying when the battery dies.......Give him a box of tissue.

[FunPhax]

I'd rather get the platinum one then wait for some 3rd party to release different designs unless i want an engraving.. :)

[Ricardox0]

I was looking at the Zune Originals, but I have a question, I don't know if anyone knows.
I've noticed that Zune HD comes with a Zune logo in the back. If I order an Original without any art, just different color. Will it have the Zune logo engraved in the back or will it just be "plain" in the back?

[MissSedona]

wait.... with a custom engraving does that black bar on the back at the bottom of the zune disappear? i don't see it in these photos yet i've seen it on all the other zune photo/videos.

now.. red or blue!?!?