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yugatech x infinix pad

Zune HD in the flesh, unboxed

The Microsoft Zune HD that I ordered from Amazon just arrived and it’s pretty cool so far. This is probably the very first one to arrive here in the Philippines. Check out some unboxing photos after the jump.


zune hd

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I got the black 16GB model which is priced at $219.99 at Amazon (that’s about Php10,500 at 48:1 exchange rate). I also paid under Php900 for the shipping from my USMailBox address in the US to the Philippines. That’s a total of under Php11,400 (similar to the price of an iPod Touch 8GB).

zune hd

Full review to follow.

Note: If you’re looking into getting some affordable shipping (with a US postal address) to the Philippines, I use MyUSMailBox. Email them at [email protected] and mention YugaTech to get a 3-month free trial (that’s Php600/month waived membership fee). This is what I used for ordering the Zune HD.

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Avatar for Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

67 Responses

  1. Avatar for it marketing services it marketing services says:

    I desire to make use of some of the content material on my weblog. Naturally I’ll offer you a link on my internet blog. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Avatar for Patrickmolano Patrickmolano says:

    where can I buy one like this in the philippines?

  3. Avatar for kitsantiago kitsantiago says:

    sir yuga, ask lang po, newbie lang po kc aq but i wanted to learn how to buy online gadgets like this mas mura po kc db, pano po ba process? like pag bibili aq nito do i need a credit card o ano? natatakot kc aq sa scam tnx po.

  4. Avatar for nadz nadz says:

    hi . anyone here can help me . my zune30gb shut down . dont know what to do . i cant open it anymore . tnxxxx . :(

  5. Avatar for Ragingdane Ragingdane says:

    Ummm… I have a Zune Hd 32 Gb and I’m wondering if you can buy a sync cable or a Zune charger pack here in the Philippines? :|

  6. Avatar for cherry cherry says:

    The new Zune HD wireless media player takes you closer and connects you to a whole new world of entertainment.

  7. Avatar for mickey mickey says:

    anyone tried timing the battery time when playing videos and music (and apps)? just want to know because i tried mine for playing videos and it only lasted around 4.5 hours (but it says 8.5). haay. haven’t tried timing it yet in playing music but for apps, it really ate a lot of power!

    @luis – yes ipod nano is cheaper but it’s not touch screen, only 8gb and has small screen for watching videos. though the fm is a great thing. hehehe.

  8. Avatar for Luis Luis says:

    It does not have the same price like ipod nano 8gb. Ipod nano 8gb is only Php 8,790.

  9. Avatar for kyle kyle says:

    hi guys, i just emailed MyUSMailbox to try their 3-month free trial… then, i’m off to buy my Zune HD… ask ko lang pano ang payment pag online purchase? wala kc ako credit card… thanks.

  10. Avatar for mickey mickey says:

    guys, for those na may kakilala sa US at magpapabili, nagmura na ang Zune HD 16gb sa Amazon.com!!! it’s now $197.99 na lang!!! (That’s a $21 price cut!!!) unfortunately for me nakapagpabili nako before bumaba ang presyo!!! sayang talaga! almost P1k din sana yun! hahaha. pero anyway, can’t wait for my ZuneHD to arrive!!! weee!

    …thanks by the way Rom and Cribby

  11. Avatar for mickey mickey says:

    guys, for those na may kakilala sa US at magpapabili, nagmura na ang Zune HD 16gb sa Amazon.com!!! it’s now $197.99 na lang!!! (That’s a $21 price cut!!!) unfortunately for me nakapagpabili nako before bumaba ang presyo!!! sayang talaga! almost P1k din sana yun! hahaha. pero anyway, can’t wait for my ZuneHD to arrive!!! weee!

  12. Avatar for Cribby Cribby says:

    So far so good I have not encountered any problems with my ZuneHD.

  13. Avatar for Rom Rom says:

    @mickey, so far from my usage, I haven’t encountered any critical bugs at all. They already released v.4.3 that adds support for the upcoming 3d games..and more.

  14. Avatar for mickey mickey says:

    …also, to anyone who already have their ZuneHD, any found defects or bugs? :D

  15. Avatar for mickey mickey says:

    Hi Yuga, this is a very helpful post. Just have a question. do you know anystore here in the Phil that sells casings for the ZuneHD?

  16. Avatar for FranCoke FranCoke says:

    yes that would help. but i’m just wondering how you made yours work. did you change your OS region or something?

  17. Avatar for FranCoke FranCoke says:

    sir, i might get one next month. Pero i’m not sure if gagana yung marketplace. how can i be assured?

  18. Avatar for paolo paolo says:

    si yuga, may I ask what are contents of the box aside from the unit? thanks IA :)

    is there a pouch included like the one in the 30gb ed?

  19. Avatar for Vic Vic says:

    @rabi, @yuga

    “here’s a seller sa tipidpc.com… He’s selling the 16GB=php13900 and 32GB=175000. Sir Yuga, reasonable na ba ‘yung price? direct sa US manggagaling daw stocks with Microsoft warranty… http://www.tipidpc.com/viewitem.php?iid=4056515&page=2”

    I’m just wondering how the Microsoft warranty can be extended by the seller at Tipid PC here… will Microsoft honor any claim?

  20. Avatar for L@nn L@nn says:

    I have Zune 30GB bought in US last 2007 and still doing great.I luv Zune

  21. Avatar for jojo jojo says:

    Yuga is on ANC !!

  22. Avatar for jason jason says:

    sir yuga bakit hindi ko po paopen yung zune store? yun din ba yung parang pinaka apple store nila?

  23. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    @rabi – those are reasonable prices. The seller gets about Php2,500 margin, I guess.

  24. Avatar for rabi rabi says:

    ?32GB=17500

  25. Avatar for rabi rabi says:

    here’s a seller sa tipidpc.com… He’s selling the 16GB=php13900 and 32GB=175000. Sir Yuga, reasonable na ba ‘yung price? direct sa US manggagaling daw stocks with Microsoft warranty… http://www.tipidpc.com/viewitem.php?iid=4056515&page=2

  26. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    @rochix – yes, it’s possible to use their Sea shipping but it might be expensive since the charge is by weight plus the custom tax.

    @rom – yup, they will deliver it to your doorstep. there might be additional shipping charges depending on where you are in the Philippines. In that case, you also have the option to just pick it up in their Makati office.

  27. Avatar for Rom Rom says:

    Hi Yuga, I also ordered my Zune HD via Amazon but will have somebody bring it over. My question is does myusmailbox.com deliver it exactly at your doorstep? or will you have to claim it at the post office? thanks!

  28. Avatar for rochix rochix says:

    Hello po, how coincidentally that I was checking out this large 42″ full hd na tv for less than $700 nang nabasa ko to. Viable din kaya yon kung gagamitin ang usmailbox?
    Wow kung sakali I would not mind paying the monthly fee as pwede namang i-share ito di ba halimbawa, between relatives.
    tnx…

  29. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    @tonti – don’t know any more stations with HD.

    @zune80gb – MS does not sell the Zune in the Philippines. The ones that are sold here are grey market so you don’t get any warranty.

    @eman – don’t know how JohnnyAir makes money. maybe the shipping cost?

    @patrick – it’s free for items under $500 but we cannot say how much custom tax is. Normally, it’s 10% right?

    @jan – historically, they don’t sell the Zune in the Philippines.

  30. Avatar for Jan Lorenz Jan Lorenz says:

    Yuga, may plano po ba kaya ang Microsoft na magbenta ng Zune HD dito? Have they sold Zunes here before?

  31. Avatar for Patrick Oliveros Patrick Oliveros says:

    abe, would it be possible to know first how much would the customs tax would be prior buying the item (like based from the USD amount)?

  32. Avatar for eman eman says:

    Hi Yuga,

    I already tried JohnnyAir, so far so good too. They dont have subscription or anything. Its based on the tax and shipping.

    I just thought maybe yours is a bit cheaper compare with them.

    Another thing, does ZuneHD has SD/MicroSD slot?

    thanks,

    eman.

  33. Avatar for Zune80gb Zune80gb says:

    Sir Abe nabaha po kasi ung Zune 80gb ko sa tingin nyo po gagana pa yun? Me service center po ba ang Microsoft dito? Anu po kaya pwede kong gawin para marepair yun? Thanks po!!

  34. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    @anna – this is the first one I’ve actually tried. I’m very satisfied though and the rates are good. $0.25 per 10grams. no tax for goods under $500.

    @jason – very few applications/games as of now.

    @eman – haven’t tried johnyair. So far, my experience with MyUSMailBox is very good. You can try their 3-month trial if you want.

  35. Avatar for eman eman says:

    Hi Yuga!

    which is more cheaper and reliable? USMailbox or Johnnyaircargo?

    thanks,

    eman.

  36. Avatar for jason jason says:

    gusto ko sana mag zune HD to replace my ipod touch paar maiba naman. kaso may mga applications kaya yan na mahahalaga tulad ng ym at facebook tulad ng ipod touch?

  37. Avatar for Anna Anna says:

    Hi Abe, nice gadget. Question, which is the best usmailbox that you have signed up for? I think I will be needing that one for my biz ;)

    Thanks!

  38. Avatar for jehzlau jehzlau says:

    Geez.. mura ah.. :D Buti pa ito nalang binili ko instead sa ipod nano 5th na 16GB. mag ka price lang :( waaaaaaaah!

  39. Avatar for tonti tonti says:

    @yuga

    really? that’s the only station in the philippines broadcasting in HD? that kinda kills the HD feature for me :(

  40. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    @khayman – 3 weeks from pre-order but actually just 12 days from day Amazon delivered to time I got it.

  41. Avatar for _khayman_ _khayman_ says:

    Boss,

    how long did it take before you got it? i mean, from ordering it from amazon and you receiving it?

    really am interested to but this beauty.

  42. Avatar for Vic Vic says:

    I like it already? I’ll look forward to the full review before I make a decision. Thanks Abe! :-)

  43. Avatar for sylv3rblade sylv3rblade says:

    Thanks for the tip :D That’s an incredible service :D.

  44. Avatar for Pedro Pedro says:

    oppss sorry sir what I meant features pla…

  45. Avatar for carla carla says:

    Hi! Can you make the words sa main menu smaller? parang ang laki nung sulat. or ganun na talaga?

  46. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    @tonti – i am able to pick up Station iFM 93.9 DWKC.

    @sylv3rblade – if ever, you’d be paying the same amount as I did. When you sign up with them, they will give you a US address you can use for your purchases. You can order from Amazon and use that address as shipping. They will receive it for you and ship it to the Philippines to your home address. They will contact you when it arrives and give you the computation for shipping and tax.

    @pedro – posted the specs here.

  47. Avatar for Pedro Pedro says:

    wow! sir can u post the specs of this Zune… I got my Ipod nano wet from the recent flood and I’m thinking of buying a new MP3 player… or is there a website… thanks sir and more power…

  48. Avatar for sylv3rblade sylv3rblade says:

    Holy cow that’s cheap. The only thing holding my purchase back is the fear of the shipping cost.

    I’m daring to hit the add to cart on amazon… but before that, how exactly does myusmailbox work?

  49. Avatar for tonti tonti says:

    hi yuga! that’s a sweet looking device you got there. one question i’d like to ask that everyone wants to know is… are you picking up any HD FM stations here?? :D

  50. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    @vance – maybe their next launch will include a 64GB and 128GB SSD Zune HD.

    @josh – via courier.

    @agwe23 – was able to download Zune Software 4.0 and was able to download Zune Apps.

    @mabuhay – where are you located? You can try Virramall, Greenhills too.

  51. Avatar for Vance Vance says:

    I’m much more excited to see the Battery life especially with apps running, I read that it did lasted 12++ hours on video and music playback.

    Sadly MS didn’t go way ahead than the ipod when it comes to capacity. Man I love to see a 120 Gb Zune HD.

    Secondly, apple has more apps now so we have to see what developers will bring to the plate.

  52. Avatar for Olyver Digg Olyver Digg says:

    @agwe23 you can try setting up your OS language and region settings to US… revert to me if it helped…

  53. Avatar for Josh Josh says:

    Quick question re: MyUSMailbox – did they ship it to you via courier or via USPS?

    Thanks.

  54. Avatar for agwe23 agwe23 says:

    thats really nice, been wanting to get a zuneHD.

    just a question though, I downloaded zune software 4.0 and i cant sign in. bec. the zune blocks out all non us users.

    does that mean no zune marketplace? no apps?

  55. Avatar for mabuhay mabuhay says:

    sir yuga, off-topic but i desperately need your help. my sister from japan will send me a 2nd hand asus Eee pc 4g ultraportable notebook. here is a link of its review http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4055

    im expecting the os to be japanese. sino kaya recommend nyo na puede magaling mag re-program os sa english? at kung recommend nyo ba na palitan linux os nya to windows?

    address and numbers please. your help is greatly appreciated. maraming salamat in advance and mabuhay kayo!

  56. Avatar for william william says:

    wahhhh tempting!

  57. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    @calvin – kasama na sa Php900 yung customs/tax.

  58. Avatar for Calvin Calvin says:

    abe wala ng customs tax na binayaran pagdating dito? or dapat meron?

  59. Avatar for arnold arnold says:

    Thinking of getting this one or the 16GB iPod Nano 5G…hmmm.

  60. Avatar for berkano berkano says:

    Man, I need a usmailbox account right now!!!

    What’s unfortunate is that we’ll be unable to use Zune Pass and the Zune software may block some features.

    Yuga did you all get the Video dock. Do tell us how 720o vids look on an LCD screen. Thanks!

  61. Avatar for Olyver Digg Olyver Digg says:

    Drool!!!! Inggit ako!!!!

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