The power button sits on the top edge of the device, while the volume rocker occupies the left spine. Unfortunately, the rocker is almost completely flush with the metal casing, so it is difficult to press. Also, oddly, you can't actually adjust the volume with the rocker; it merely brings up the touch controls. Instead, while your media is playing, you can just touch the device to bring up the volume controls, which is a lot easier.
Because the OLED display doesn't require a backlight, the Zune HD uses less battery power. Microsoft says that the Zune HD can play music for up to 33 hours, and video for up to 8.5 hours. By comparison, the iPod Touch has 30 hours of music playback and 6 hours of video.
The Zune HD is a huge step forward for Microsoft. It offers some unique features that other portable media players don't have, it has a super-pocketable design, and--most important--it works very well. Having to pay extra to use the HD features is unfortunate, however, and I hope that Microsoft either reduces the HDMI dock's price or sells it in an accessory pack
