Have a Zune and just got a mac. What to do?

Since the zune software doesn't work with a mac how am i going to transfer my songs and use my zune and so forth? Today i should be receiving vista in the mail via ups from newegg to use bootcamp. I know i can use the zune software in bootcamp but it will seem like such a hassle. How does this work? If i download a song when I'm using leopard will that song go to windows music folder also or are they on separate hard drives? Sorry I'm a new mac user and I'm confused of how i can get this to work?

 

Bootcamp will work, but will require you to reboot every time you want to go into Windows. If I were you I'd try Parallels:

http://www.parallels.com/en/desktop/

This software will enable you to run Windows directly in OSX. I've heard nothing but positive reviews, but your performance is likely to depend on whether you got a MacBook or MacBook Pro, type of video card, amount of RAM, etc.

One strong suggestion - go with Windows XP as opposed to Vista. I do like Vista but it is likely to run dog slow inside Parallels unless you got a great video card.

 

I have 4gigs and ram 8600gt. I already got vista so i guess i screwed up there. haha. So for example, lets say i download a song on my mac os. Can i open up parallels and drag the song from my mac os onto parallels and use the song under parallels?

 

Yes, you have access to the Windows file system from OS X and vice versa. Actually it may be even easier than that - you may be able to download a file in OSX and open the file through Finder using the Zune software using a Parallels feature called SmartSelect:

http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/features/smartselect/

Also Vista is supported, and with your RAM and vid card you should be OK. Just disable Aero in Vista if you have problems.

http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/sr/

 

Ok thanks alot man for the help. I'll try this out and tell you how it goes.

 

You should be able to plug in a Zune to your Mac and browse the file system as if it was a removable hard drive. You could simply drag mp3 files to the zune in OS X rather than bothering with bootcamp and Vista just to support your Zune.

 

I don't think so...

I have a Zune and I am fairly sure I cannot access it's file system directly even from Windows Explorer (let alone Finder). Use of the Zune software is required. There are hacks out there to make the Zune appear to Windows as a USB mass storage device but I highly doubt they would work on a Mac.

I could be wrong on this, please correct me if you know a specific way to make the Zune's file system accessible from any computer.

 

Try Songbird. It has MTP support for the Zune. I don't have a Zune but I have used Songbird and its brilliant. Even apart from the Zone compatibility I recommend everyone should give it a shot. Check it out here, its free,

http://getsongbird.com/

 

if you can get the zune to work as a usb mass storage device, it will work on the mac. otherwise, the proprietary zune system will not work. obviously the brute force method is just installing windows....

but honestly, maybe its time to sell the zune, take the loss, and buy a nice new ipod or ipod touch...

 

Yeah well i just bought a 2000 dollar MBP and all this other software for college so i can't really afford an iPod at the moment. lol But I love my zune anyways. But I just got parallels. Just waiting vista to arrive from UPS.

I have a one more question?

Would you install boot camp and parallels or is that not possible??
Or is it not necessary at all to even try?

 

Are you going to use any other software in Windows? If so, what is it? As long as the programs you want to use doesn't require a lot of processor or graphics power (such as games or encoding), then a virtual desktop should be sufficient for your needs. You could always try them both, and pick your favorite, or use whichever one is best for a given application.

 

You could get VMWare Fusion to run Vista virtually which would then allow you to hook up a Zune to the MBP. I'm not sure how well Parallels works but Fusion works fine with USB stuff hooked up to it, especially the Zune.

 

Don't know why anyone hasn't suggested this, but why don't you take advantage of the free ipod touch deal currently going on? If you're too old just get someone that you know who's a student...

 

hahaha a zune,wot planet are you living on?

 

I have a Zune 80GB and to be honest, I LOVE it! It sucks that there's no official Mac software for it, but I have a workaround for the time being...

I have my bootcamped Windows enabled to access my Mac partition using MacDrive (I'm sure you can find free/cheap alternatives, but this does the job perfectly). From there, I just map my Zune library to the same folder as my Mac's iTunes library and VOILA! I can sync my zune on Windows and still have access to my music on the mac side.

This is fine if you don't need to sync often, but if you're into podcasts for example, it will probably get a little repetitive.

Overall, I'm very happy with my Zune. Just annoyed with the non-existent Mac support

 

Honestly, after having both a zune and ipod, I like the zune better, Excluding the ipod touch of course since microsoft doesn't have that yet.

But anyways yeah i got parallels and everything works great. Thanks everyone.

 

Why would buy a zune!?? thats just awful. Install bootcamp, copy all your music. Sell your ZUNE and buy a proper iPod and enjoy life at its best