Well I just got my RMA for a replacement iPod from Apple last week
THANK gOD!!
And after re-reading this very old thread I would like to change my outlook a slight bit on the iPod.
People like nomoment and others probably do have an iPod which lasts as long as they claim, as I'm sure they must have an iPod with the improved batterys (so I admit I was probably wrong on this), But there is a huge amount of people who also have iPods which have terrible battery life.
& like xsarien stated above, jumping from song to song, pausing etc etc is going to drain tha battery a bit more, and I also noticed the battery on the iPod dies a LOT quicker when the volume is at 100%.
In comparison the Creative Zen Xtra I have (which I also jump song to song a lot on it as well) has a battery that lasts an Extremely long time, in fact I don't ever recall running out of battery life before recharging it, even on 10 hour work days.
I'm not going to say buying an iPod means you'll get an mp3 player with a bad battery life, but I will say that "I do believe there is still a lot of iPods out in retail that still have the bad battery design in it, and unless you're willing to risk having to send it to Apple for a replacement within the 1st year (and Apple seems to be very good about replacing it for free if returned in under a year) it may not be worth it."
The choice is yours, if you get an iPod with a good battery, or once it's replaced it is an outstanding player, and the small size and control is above and beyond what Dell, iRiver or Creative can match at the moment and is Very appreciated.
So there it is, a completely non-biased opinion from someone who owns a Zen Xtra nad an iPod.