uhmmm question to all those arguing about battery life:
when are you listening to mp3s for 24 HOURS STRAIGHT?!?!?!
please...gimme a break with this battery argument. if you're listening to music non-stop, maybe you should try conversation for a bit. there hasn't been longer than a 10 hour period (plane ride) when i've been without my AC adapter, and my 3rd gen ipod has lasted that long. and plus...there's a LOT of ways you can conserve on battery power (turning off the clicky noise, backlight timer, EQ mode). i've had both a 2nd gen and a 3rd gen ipod...and both of them are still running fantastic as far as battery life. if you do need to have music running constantly, just bring your dock with you or a charger with you. not that difficult.
another thing...if you're gonna argue about sound quality...LISTEN TO THE CD. kids these days...sure i have an ipod with tons of mp3s on it...but if i'm gonna be listening to something that is hi-fi (someone said Flaming Lips, good analogy)...i'm going to be at home chilling with my Sennheisers connected to my hi-fi system CD or LP player. MP3 sound quality...even for the ipod...is ADEQUATE for portable use. if you find it lacking, it's probably because of less-than-average headphones. find what works for you...whether that is earbuds, in-earbuds, over-the-ear, behind-the-ear, or whatever. personally, i can't stand in-ear because it feels uncomfortable, but many people prefer that. there are plenty of options out there.
and...i feel like i bring this up in every ipod thread but...YES it is very expensive, even with the recent price drops. you're paying a premium on style and easy-to-use factor. no other mp3 players come close in the aesthetic style of the ipod, or they just mimic it. and really folks, the way Apple has everything set up on the ipod is really really damn intuitive. i've played with most of the other current mp3 players out there, and something about their menus just doesn't "click" with me (oops bad pun). of course, that is more personal opinion than fact. see what works for you. there can be some problems with windows machines, but again, just find something that works for you. a lot of people prefer itunes, i'm more of an ephpod man myself. if you think it's too expensive...then TS. just don't buy it! there are a lot of things i can't afford...but i'm not complaining about it. if you can't stay at the ritz-carlton, then stay at the local holiday inn. and if you really want an ipod...just save up your moneys. i think it's more than worth it. anyway...my two cents. i always bring this up in the ipod threads...but of course no one ever listens.