Zune HD (32GB, platinum)

The good: The Zune HD's brilliant OLED display, HD Radio tuner, long battery life, movie rentals, and subscription music integration finally give iPod expatriates something to shout about.

The bad: You still can't use the Zune with a Mac; Marketplace purchases require "Microsoft Points"; video format support is limited; audio quality lacks advanced controls; you'll need to purchase a dock accessory for HD video output; application and game selection stinks; and the recommended music subscription plan puts the real-world cost higher than the iPod.

The bottom line: The Zune HD delivers one of the best portable music and video experiences money can buy. At a time when many people have shifted their focus to games and applications, providing a killer media experience may not be enough for potential Zune buyers.