[Kirosuke]

I've been looking around and I'm kind of confused on what kind of mp3 player to get. I've been thinking about getting an iPod classic or Nano but been having second thoughts like there may be other mp3 players that are better for a lower cost.

I also don't know the difference between flash memory and a hard drive. I mean how do both affect the music player? Is one better than the other?

Criteria:
- I listen to music very often, so I need a good amount of music to listen to so that I don't feel like I've listened to every song a thousand times. I know there's 2, 4, 8gb then a huge jump to 30gb, 60gb, etc. Is there some memory in between? Since I listen to both my brother's and my collection of music, that probably adds up to about 20gb in all, but I don't think I'll be adding every song into the mp3. I think 8gb would suffice. I'm sure I can get used to updating songs.
- The ability to watch videos and add pictures would be nice but not needed.
- I like really good sound quality, decent is fine but I'd prefer excellent.
- A surface that doesn't scratch (very easily) is also nice.
- One that doesn't lag.
- Good battery life (of course).
- Not too big and bulky. I prefer something nice and comfortable in my pocket and hand.

I know it's a lot, but thanks for any suggestions!

Edit: I forgot to include that I'm looking for a price around $250 or less.

[awdark]

The problem is that fits a HUGE set of options in the whole MP3 player market. I mean you can get a creative zen vision and those will support more video formats.

Ipods are always popular, classic, nano, touch... all those can do what you want.

You can even get a zune, personally I think they look like a brick but some people like it. Its like 30gb and you can buy it for $80-100 for the first generation ones. They support the wireless sync and all that the new ones have.

Personally I have a touch. I hacked it to have more features and personally I don't think its quite so good for music listening. Its hard to do the *reach into pocket push next* you have to pull it out, double click home and you can change volume/track on screen. But its sure a nice does everything type mp3 player.

[Kirosuke]

The problem is that fits a HUGE set of options in the whole MP3 player market. I mean you can get a creative zen vision and those will support more video formats.

Ipods are always popular, classic, nano, touch... all those can do what you want.

You can even get a zune, personally I think they look like a brick but some people like it. Its like 30gb and you can buy it for $80-100 for the first generation ones. They support the wireless sync and all that the new ones have.

Personally I have a touch. I hacked it to have more features and personally I don't think its quite so good for music listening. Its hard to do the *reach into pocket push next* you have to pull it out, double click home and you can change volume/track on screen. But its sure a nice does everything type mp3 player.

I think the Zune is too big for my taste.
If I can't figure out any other mp3 to get, I might get an iPod, but then that leaves me wondering if I should get the classic or nano. Size or memory?

[chicanerist]

iPod Classic (80 GB): 4.1 x 2.4 x 0.41 inches (103.5 x 61.8 x 10.5 mm), 4.9 ounces (140 grams), 2.5-inch (diagonal) color LCD with LED backlight
Zune 80: 61.1 mm x 108.2 mm x 12.9 mm (w x h x d), 4.5 ounces (128 grams), 3.2-inch color display

The Zune 80 may be slightly bigger, but it weighs slightly less than the iPod.
The screen is noticeably larger than the iPod's, however both runs on 320x240 resolution so the Zune's display may not be as 'crisper' than the iPod's.
The iPod Classic has a battery life of an average of 30-33 hours of music playback while the Zune 80's is merely 20-24 hours.
Sound quality however, the Zune 80 is far superior than its competitor.
I believe both units have a scratch resistant glass screen, however since the ipod's unit is made out of metal it's easier to scratch. The zune's casing is some sorta aluminum material that is more scratch resistant.

[delicate_tears]

go to download.com and press on the mp3 reviews, they offer excellent impartial reviews that will only benefit you as a consumer and will point out all the flaws and pros of the mp3 players! They are also sorted into specific categories that are excellent for easy browsing and for you as a consumer easily decide what kind of features you want... Good luck!! ( i sound like an advertiser don't I >.<?)

[miss_lion]

I use Creative Zen V Plus.

For me, it's perfect already. It's only 2GB, but it can play a decent amount of music without repeating. (or maybe because I don't put lots of music on it.) It can store videos, pictures and data as well. It also has a recorder and an FM. As for the good sound quality, I prefer to use Creative than Ipod when it comes to that area.

The good sound quality depends on the earphones though not on the mp3 player, so you can just buy an earphone if you don't like the sound quality for the mp3 you will buy.

My mp3 player doesn't lag and it's battery normally lasts for 1 week. (But it depends on how much you use it.) It's small as well.

I hope I helped even if my post is a bit biased.
You should check mp3 reviews for more information. ^^