If you want a decent mp3 player, don't splash out on iPods.
The problem with mp3 players is that it's still very new technology. Granted, we can touch the screens and play movies, but that doesn't help the fragile motherboard stay absolutely shock-free, or the lithium-ion batteries from slowly depleting their maximum storage capacity. All-in-all, wait 5 years or so before you start spending serious money on mp3 players. Until then, go for Creative. They last about a year to a year and a half of 'moderate' (4-6 hours per day) use, depending on a few factors. I've been with Zen for a while now (3 1/2 years - 3 Zens) and have had far fewer problems than I did with my iPod. And even though I got 3 of them, the other 2 still work just fine (but they are on their last leg) My first Zen even got absolutely soaked in an English rainshower (I swung it and water fanned out, then it proceeded to drip for the next 5 minutes) and after a few hours (5 or so) it worked again!
Plus, iPods are very restrictive with compatible file types and the libraries with which you can upload the songs from. With a Zen, you literally plug it into the USB, sync with Windows Media Player, drag and drop. That's just one way, at least. They also come with software, but that's more for organizational purposes. If you organize your music before it's even put onto your computer (like I do), such programs become rather redundant, which saves a lot of time in the long-run.
