I've lived with a simple CD player for the past however many years. I don't even remember. I guess at least eight or nine years. Since junior high.

I have friends who've bought/acquired ipods and rave about them. But on the other hand, I've heard a lot (on here, especially) about problems, complaints, general maintenance malfunctions with them.

I like the concept of being able to carry around my whole music library in the palm of my hand, but it doesn't sound like there's any real competition on the market for the ipod.

I don't really like Apple either, so that's another reason I'd be tempted to go an alternate route. So... can anyone offer up any good press about any alternate brands or persuade me to buy an ipod itself? Much appreciated.

I have an IRiver and it's been great except for me dropping it a couple of times. I think that's the reason the battery life is for shit right now. It's still under warranty though so I can get it fixed eventually*. I think they discontinued the model I have though so I'm not sure how the newer ones are.

* = before january

http://www.dapreview.net/news.php is a good place to look for reviews. I use an iRiver but their new players are kinda lacking, especially in capacity. I'd recommend the iAudio X5. My brother has one and it's excellent. It's easy to use, doesn't require software to transfer files, and if you get the X5L version it has a battery life that can't be beaten (up to 35 hours on a charge). It also sounds amazing. I'd buy one myself if I had to replace my player.

While I'm a die-hard Apple/Mac user I am somewhat torn on this subject:

Last year I bought my wife an RCA lyra because it was small and so easy. You just drag any mp3 files through a USB connection to the unit, it shows up like an external drive, and you're done. no need to make a playlist or go through itunes etc. It is expandable via SD cards I got her a 32 MB Lyra w/ a 1GB card which is good for about 18 hrs of music. She uses it when traing for her Triathlons. It has been great and total for the Lyra and card was about $120

I was thinking of getting an iPod, but am open to others. The part I don't like about many of these damn things is that you need to go through another interface to get music in/out of them. I just want to be able to drag stuff in and out like any other external HD or mem card. I know this sounds petty and like a minor thing but it's just one more layer that shouldn't be needed.

So far I have my sights on a 30 or 60 GB ipod, one of the newer ones that also plays video. I aslo wanted to get a huge external drive to store ripped video files and music so I don't have to keep them on my PowerBook. Some companies have a cool external drive case that house one or two drives that you can plug directly into your network. It is essentially a cheap network attached strorage unit. Put a couple 400 GB drives in them and GO!

the Creative Zen. It has an FM tuner so if you get tired of listening to music and want to listen to the radio you have that option. According to my co worker, Creative are makers of sound chips, so the sound is suppose to be very good.

also, i've dropped my zen a couple of times and (knock on wood) it still works fine. just make sure you get the cover for it, i think the rubber cushioning on the cover is what keeps it from getting damaged easily.

I also have a Creative Zen. works nicely and is less expensive than Ipod

I just gave in and asked my parents for a 30GB video iPod for Christmas.

I'll learn to live with it.

My iPod (30gb video version) is the best thing to ever happen to me technologically.

What is your preference?

If it's interface, go with the Apple iPod.
If it's audio quality, there are better, but few. The Apple iPod certainly doesn't suck (I have an audiophile friend who listens to one regularly).
If it's money, buy pretty much anything else, because most everything else is cheaper on a per-gig basis.

If someone else is paying for it (or if I had more money to burn), I'd certainly choose an Apple iPod.

I just got a Creative Zen Xtra 60GB and I love it...pretty bare bones, easy to use, great sound, so much cheaper ($280).

I love it so far.

Have an Ipod, love it. The iAudio X5 is the only other one I would consider

My 60gb iPod has increased my qual of life more than any tech since my first laptop. No more searching for CDs at home, and I can pretty much take my entire music collection with me wherever I go.

No probs yet, but I only had it about 6mths. I personally would worry a little about going with one of the redesigned video ones, tho. Kind of like staying away from the first model year of a car. You never know what kinks are going to come up.

But I guess you've decided anyway, so enjoy (and keep the receipt)

I have a 60gig IPOD too... no real complaints as of yet, excpet on about three occassions, Id skip or stop, and the whole thing shut off, and I'd have to wait for it to start again...but in ever lost any music..so so far, so good!