Microsoft Zune HD

Reviewers are impressed with the new Zune HD, saying Microsoft finally has a worthy competitor to the iPod touch. Although more experts prefer the touch overall, the Microsoft Zune HD is a great alternative for those who don't want an iPod or to be tied to iTunes. The Zune HD includes a 3.3-inch OLED touch screen and sleek design, and reviewers say the display is gorgeous, although it is susceptible to glare and reflections. Most critics say the touch screen is more responsive than that on the iPod touch, and sound quality is comparable between the two. The Zune HD also gets high marks for its HD radio. Where the Zune HD lags behind the iPod touch is web browsing and apps -- Microsoft's mobile web browser is slow to load pages and the Zune HD has only a handful of apps, compared to the 75,000 available for the iPod touch.

Overall, critics say the Microsoft Zune HD is a big improvement over previous Zune players. The Zune HD also comes in a 16 GB model (*Est. $220), but Microsoft has discontinued all previous Zune models. You can use the Zune HD if you have a Mac, but only if you are running Windows on Boot Camp. If sound quality is your primary concern, experts say the Sony X Series Walkman (*Est. $380 for 32 GB) provides some of the best audio you can get in a MP3 player.

The Microsoft Zune HD has been tested by a number of credible reviewers, including CNET, PCMag.com, Laptop Magazine and ArsTechnica.com. Each of these sources thoroughly tests the Zune HD and provides detailed analysis and commentary. PC World, Wired and Electronista.com provide shorter reviews, and Amazon.com offers some owner-written feedback. Although the Zune HD has been on the market only a short time, it attracts dozens of initial user reviews.