I personally prefer the Microsoft Zune over the Apple iPod. I don't like the clickwheel (because it's so hard to be precise with that thing: I always go further down than I want to browse). Zune has bigger screen, which, I assume, wouldn't affect you since all you probably will do is listen to music while exercising. But, the Zune software is incredibly easy to use. The new ones are super slim, too.

I don't know...to me both are just as easy to use as the other. *shrugs*

The problem I have with an iPod is that people might then decide to get you iTunes' gift cards, which you use to get the AAC file song type only for an iPod. What do you do with your music once you get a new MP3 player?

Another note, look at battery life. I've heard plenty of stories about the rechargeable batteries going from 20 hours to 3 hour life--loosing their capacity.

With the battery thing in mind, I got a Creative MuVo. Granted, it doesn't play video or have a big screen, but I appreciate it for:

-Replacable AAA battery, ~18 hour life

-All you have to do is insert the MP3 player into your USB port and drag and drop your song files/folders. (MP3 or WMA files)

-Light, small.

Be warned, though, that the screen is small and getting to your songs takes just a tad of navigational skills, but you'll get used to it. It was only $70 and it holds (supposedly) 1000 WMA songs.

Aside from my battery fears and the iPod paranoia, something bigger and fancier does sound nice. It depends on what you want/need, and what your price range is.

-CF

I don't know...to me both are just as easy to use as the other. *shrugs*

I mostly have a problem with the lack of a clickwheel. Size was a turnoff too, but they fixed that with the newest generation. The only real difference is the clickwheel, at this point.

The problem I have with an iPod is that people might then decide to get you iTunes' gift cards, which you use to get the AAC file song type only for an iPod. What do you do with your music once you get a new MP3 player?

That was one concern I had, but my sister has an iPod and my family's pretty good about giving her CDs so she can rip the music herself.

Another note, look at battery life. I've heard plenty of stories about the rechargeable batteries going from 20 hours to 3 hour life--loosing their capacity.

I'm looking at going through BB, which offers a $20 2-3 year replacement plan. My sister's used hers twice for her iPod, my dad's used his once for his PC. You can either get it fixed, or you "cash-in" the plan and they hand over an entirely new unit (and in 2 years the money I spent on the old one will get me something better)

Some other stuff I'm wondering about is how easy is it to get music from respective stores, or how the music files are kept on my PC. I like the idea of keeping my songs as MP3s so I can move them around and use them in difference services on my PC. For example, does the iPod convert a song to AAC format BEFORE it loads it to the player...or does it physical change all my songs to AAC and then copy them?

Some other stuff I'm wondering about is how easy is it to get music from respective stores, or how the music files are kept on my PC. I like the idea of keeping my songs as MP3s so I can move them around and use them in difference services on my PC. For example, does the iPod convert a song to AAC format BEFORE it loads it to the player...or does it physical change all my songs to AAC and then copy them?

I think you should check the file size of MP3 and WMA, as I think WMA is a smaller file size so you'll get more on your player, whatever you choose. But some things are picky about WMA's, as that's specific to Windows.

I wouldn't know about the AAC files....

-CF

Thanks for all your help! I finally settled on an iPod, as I know several people with one and all gave great reviews (and will also be great help when learning how to use it).

Now I gotta pick out 2000 songs. I have so many!