IRiver-- had mine for 2 years already. Why? works on just 1 AA battery (a battery that you WON'T have to return to the manufacturer like ipods), you can record from almost any medium, has a mic recorder, FM radio, easy user interface, and they don't charge me $50 after the 1st time calling customer service. Plus it's smaller, more ergonomically fit to hold than the Ipod, and hey, why not assist in the non-monopoly of mp3 players by suporting the lesser known brand