IMHO, the best way to go is with Creative Labs for an MP3 Player. I have a Zen Vision: M. its freakin awesome. granted, they are now discontinued. but their new ones..the Zen X-fi. rivals over anything else out there. and it has also been proven that ipods use the interface software patented by Creative. there was actually a law suit over it. Apple had to pay 100 Mill for trying to steal it..or something. Creative was there first making sound products, so naturally they have better hardware. Creative has also stated that their plan is to completely take over the ipod sales, beause they are fed up with Apple.