I received the Zune Original 8GB I ordered last Tuesday today, direct from China. I was quite surprised at how nice the entire package was. Took some pictures below for those on the fence wondering whether to pick one up or not.
The box when you open it. Included a color poster of the artwork you selected from the Zune Originals site:
http://home.roadrunner.com/~a.baez/zuneorig1.jpg
The contents of the envelope and bag:
http://home.roadrunner.com/~a.baez/zuneorig2.jpg
Unboxed:
http://home.roadrunner.com/~a.baez/zuneorig3.jpg
The Zune close up, the red color is almost maroon, which is different than what I expected from photos I saw. It's a very deep nice color though:
http://home.roadrunner.com/~a.baez/zuneorig4.jpg
The backside of the Zune with detail of the etching, I picked the Tado etching even though it's a bit cutesy. My first choice, the Takahashi city graphic, is not available on the Originals site for some reason (http://www.coolhunting.com/images/originals_artists-16.jpg). Can one of the mods tell the higher ups at MS to look into that? :P
http://home.roadrunner.com/~a.baez/zuneorig5.jpg
Another shot of the Zune:
http://home.roadrunner.com/~a.baez/zuneorig6.jpg
Overall, I'm quite happy with the purchase. This will be a nice step up from my six year old second generation ipod (which I love and is still going strong, but it was time to update). The etchings make your player somewhat unique, and the whole presentation was quite unexpected.
Song Title, Album, Artist - the unofficial Social Now Playing order. Post Away! PSN ID: Predator_
www.ihaveazune.com
Joshua B Podcast: Reggae Rhythm Update
Black Zune 80 + Premium IEM + AKG K26p + JVC HA-FX33 - Zune 80 TADO Original (lost/stolen)
I got my Zune Original yesterday.
Same packaging - I got a black Zune 8 with a tattoo rather than full art.
Note, the tattoo does not come with the poster. Only the full art includes a poster.
I have no complaints - the packaging was a pleasant surprise and a good deal for the entire thing being free right now.
As far as satisfaction with my tattoo goes - eh, it's okay. I got Thunder on Black. I sort of wish I got Squares on Black, but...can't really change that now.
I've found that the Zune 4/8 colors do not really photograph accurately. Black is black, but the green and red seem to appear very differently in photographs than they do in reality.
Boots
No difference - both are free right now.
Until they decide a price.
I dont think there will be any extra charge for this because they are giving an incentive to order direct at exact retail price rather than Amazon.com where you could save a few bucks. They cut out the middle man and dont lose money from stock lying around in different places since these are custom made for each order.
Definitely getting a black Zune 80 with full art the day they're out.