Where's the "neither" option?

What? I'm super serial. :(

My first MP3 player was a Creative Nomad II, then an iRiver iHP-120, and now a Philips HDD6330. I can't personally recommend whatever Creative's current product is since I don't have one, although I would assume it's probably nicer than an iPod.

this one

 

my bro has one and its uber cool

I voted iPod, but that's because i've had experience with them and i like mine.

I really don't think it matters too much what you get, as long as you get what you're looking for.

iPods: They're easy, clean looking, relativly hassle-free and, let's face it, trendy. I personally think iTunes is a great piece of software, i used it was my music player before i even had an iPod (if you live in a dorm, it's even better. Get a third party program and the "shared music libraries" turn into a free music market...). You can rip CDs with iTunes into mp3 format without any program modifications and subcribe to podcasts about any subject if you so choose. They are a bit pricey, but even the lowest priced iPod (excluding the Shuffle) is great for my uses.

Creative/Nomads/Whatever: I don't have much experience with these, but it looks like you can fiddle with little things that might make a difference to you. For me, I would never use those things because A.) I don't care and B.) Don't really know how to use them effectively.

iTunes + Limewire = Win.

whut- you should really put what size of a player you are looking for so that we can make comments on the players that you might be consitering.

EDIT: just saw your post on the other thread.  if you are going to use it running, you have to stay away from the hard drive players.  although hard-drive players have a huge amount of memory, they have a spinning hard drive, and motion can mess up the hard drive and its not covered under warranty.  most warning labels will tell you this.  so the only apples that have flash memory are the shuffle and nano.  the shuffle is $99 i think, but in my opinion its junk.  there is no screen and the player plays the songs in shuffle mode only.  the nano starts at $200 and it works good for running.  its not the best quality sound, but usually it doesn't matter if you are running.  the downfall to this player is that its expensive.

there are many other players that hold between 512mb and 1-2gig that run on flash memory for well under $200.  the way i see it, apple has never impresed me with their products, especially for the amount of money they charge for them.  most people sell products for less money that have equal to better specs then the apple.  if you have the extra money to burn, buy an apple.  otherwise there are equal players out there for less money.

i would put up some links and such for some players, but i have to head out to a study group for my midterm tomorrow.  i know i won't have time tonight to do it, but maybe after my midterm tomorrow i will put up some links for you.

 

they'll all fit in your pocket.