Microsoft's second-gen Zune isn't quite as sexy as the new Zune HD, but it's still a versatile, feature-packed media player and a worthy iPod alternative.
And now it's a cheap one, too: Buy.com has the refurbished Zune 80 player for $129.99 shipped. It sold for $249 when it debuted a couple years ago, and is still running around $200 new.
Obviously a big draw here is the whopping 80GB hard drive, which should be enough to hold even the largest music libraries, with room left over for photos, videos, podcasts, and the like.
You get to view all that stuff on a 3.2-inch glass LCD--way bigger than the screen on the only comparable iPod, the Classic.
Other perks include an FM radio, wireless syncing/sharing, support for Microsoft's Zune Pass subscription service (one of the few such services left), and a terrific interface.
What's more, a free firmware update endows the Zune 80 with many of the features added to the third-gen Zune, so be sure to read CNET's review of that model.
If you have a lot of media you want to keep in your pocket, the Zune transports it in style. My only complaint is with the 90-day warranty--a far cry from Apple's 1-year coverage for refurbished hardware.
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View the latest prices for Microsoft Zune (second generation, 80GB, black)
It wasn't very long ago that scoring a 4GB third-generation iPod Nano for $99 was a big deal. Now you can get an 8GB current-gen Nano for $99. Good things come to those who wait!
That deal (which, admittedly, has been around a while) comes straight from the Apple Store--the section that sells "certified refurbished" stuff.
I've purchased gear from there before, and it always arrives in mint condition--complete with the same one-year warranty as the new iPods come with.
Which begs the question: why spend another $50 on a new one? The only real difference is the box: Refurbs come in a nondescript cardboard one, not the fancy plastic shell you see in stores. Meh.
The $99 Nanos are available in your choice of colors: yellow, pink, purple, blue, black, etc.
In case you don't already know everything there is to know about this iPod, check out CNET's First Look video up there on the right.
Want to stock your new Nano with free music? Check out my recent post on scoring free tunes from Amazon, Rhapsody, and MP3.com. That's in addition to yesterday's item on 1,000 free songs from Microsoft. So many freebies, so little time!
Update: Or you could get a refurbished 8GB Zune from Newegg for $74 shipped. It features an FM tuner and Wi-Fi syncing--but only one color choice: black.
Apple's price on the current-generation 8GB iPod Nano: $149.
J&R's price on the current-generation 8GB iPod Nano: $124.99. Amazingly, that's for a new unit, not a refurb. And there's not a rebate in sight.
The catch? You have just one color option: yellow. (Don't worry, guys: It's a manly looking yellow.) J&R does carry all the other Nano colors, but they're priced at $139.99.
There's probably not much I can say about the Nano that you don't already know. And I've embedded CNET's First Look video if you want a quick overview.
Instead, I thought I'd list a few things you can do with the $25 (er, almost $25) you stand to save:
- Save it for a rainy day. (Plenty of those to go around.)
- Get Michael Jackson's "Thriller" for $9.99 and remember the guy for what he did best.
- Get an unlocked 3G wireless modem card for your laptop for $19.99 (today only).
- Get 5 hours of classical adagios from Amazon MP3 for $2.99.
- Buy one Jamba Juice smoothie, get another one free. Man, I wish there was a Jamba Juice by my house.
Assuming you were planning to buy a Nano anyway, what would you do with an extra 25 smackers?
Whatever the case, J&R says it has limited availability of these spiffy, yellow Nanos, so if you want in on the deal, click fast.
Update: As astute reader ZephyrVolta points out, the Apple Store is currently running a special on refurbished 8GB Nano players (again, 4th-gen): $99 shipped. They carry the same one-year warranty as new models, and they're available in all colors. Much better deal, IMHO!
Sorry to hit you with a one-day-only deal two days in a row, but this is too good to pass up: Woot has the fourth-gen iPod Nano (8GB) for $99.99, plus $5 for shipping. Yes, fourth-gen: the latest and greatest model.
These are refurbished units available in your choice of colors: black, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, silver, and yellow.
I don't own this particular model, but CNET had lots of good things to say about it. Standout features include sleek design, a tilt sensor, and a Genius playlist builder. I particularly like the shake-to-shuffle capability.
So, here's the bad news: Woot's refurbs come with only a 90-day warranty. If you buy the same model from Apple's online store (scroll down a bit to find the fourth-gen Nano), you get a one-year warranty. Plus free shipping. You'll have to decide if that's worth an extra $25.
Personally, I think there's so little chance of anything breaking on this model, you might as well pocket the extra cash. But I'd definitely act fast: Woot tends to sell out quickly, and once the iPods are gone, they're gone. (They'll definitely be gone at midnight.)
I might just have another deal for you later today (yep, a two-fer!), so be sure to check back.
Quick! Before they sell out (and they will, mark my words), click over to Woot, and pick up a 30GB fifth-generation iPod for just $99.99 (plus $5 for shipping).
These are refurbished models available in either black or white. Curiously, the warranty expires after 90 days--not one year, as with most Apple refurbs.
Of course, given that these babies used to sell for $299, that's probably a risk worth taking. In fact, that's a slightly better warranty than you'll get from Newegg, which has 30GB iPod refurbs for $129 shipped: the coverage lasts just 60 days.
Although the iPod Touch is all the rage these days, let's not forget that the fifth-gen iPod was once the bee's knees. Here's your chance to score one on the cheap.
While you're at it, get this sweet Griffin iPod speaker system/dock for $39.99 (plus $5 shipping). It's a today-only deal as well, so make it snappy.
Creative's 4GB Zen media player is a ridiculously good deal at $64.99 shipped.
(Credit: Creative)Creative is clearing out a mess of refurbished gear, including 1GB Zen Stone MP3 players for $13.99, 2GB Zen Stone Plus players for $21.99, and my personal favorite: the 4GB Zen for $64.99. All prices include shipping!
In case you're unfamiliar with it, the Zen is Creative's answer to the 3rd-gen iPod nano. It offers a 2.5-inch screen, an FM tuner, an SDHC slot (for adding up to 16GB of extra storage via cheapo memory cards), a voice recorder, and support for music-subscription services. You can also stock it with TV shows and movies from Amazon Unbox. In short, it's way more versatile than the nano, which is why CNET and users alike gave it such a high rating.
If this sounds like a winning deal to you, don't wait: I'm certain these will sell out in a hurry. If they do, or you've got an extra $19 to spare, you can get the 8GB model for $83.99.
(Credit:
Archos)
Good deals come to those who wait. The Archos 404 portable media player sold for $299 when it debuted in late summer '06, but now you can scoop one up for just $109.99 shipped. It's a reconditioned unit, but it includes a six-month warranty (according to the product page).
The Archos 404 measures 3x4x0.6 inches, meaning it's easily compact enough to slip into a pocket. It sports a 30GB hard drive and 3.5-inch screen, and it can record line-in audio and video (with optional adapters). It supports a wide range of video, photo, and audio formats, including DRM-protected WMAs (good news for fans of music-subscription services). Want to watch DVDs on the device? The same HandBrake utility I mentioned last week can produce Archos-friendly DVD rips.
CNET loved the Archos 404, awarding it an 8/10 rating. The only real disappointment is the lack of an FM tuner. But if you're looking for a video-friendly media player with loads of storage and a roomy screen, check out the 404.
Microsoft's also rolling out a firmware update that gives these "old" Zunes all the new-Zune features: podcasts, Wi-Fi syncing, support for TV shows recorded on your PC, etc.
(Credit:
Microsoft)
While supplies last (and trust me, they'll go fast), you can snag the original brown Zune from Amazon (via J&R Music World), Buy.com, and Costco. (Buy.com even has free shipping.) That's a helluva good deal on such a feature-packed player, and the new firmware (which installed easily on my trusty ol' Zune) really rocks.
Update: Woot's got the Zune for $84.99 today only, black or white, and you can nab a free travel kit if you order two! Wowza.
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