best mp3 player - any thoughts?

> Looks? don't care
> Size? not worried
> Capacity? maximum
> Battery Life? hmm - longer the better I suppose
> Software Support? don't care
> Ease of Use? don't care
> Sound Quality? good (up to 256 kbps)
> Expandability? not that bothered
> Weight? don't care

Hmm you don't seem to care about 7 out of 9 of the key things, so think pretty immaterial then which you pick

Honestly there is nothing wrong with the ipod series except it's price, so unless you are afraid of being labled a "fashion victim" i would just get one of those

best mp3 player - any thoughts?

Why not wait a couple of weeks and get one of these? Let's you watch video on the go as well.

Archos AV700

I have the 40gb createive one. Have to agree that it doesn't look great, but the sound quality is good, the battery life is long and it was about half the price of the Ipod (which looks tons better). Got mine in the US about a 8 months ago where it cost me £120

I've got a Sony Walkman.

It plays all the tapes I own.

It uses batteries.

HTH


Seriously though, this looks like the mutts nuts:
www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006VJ7VQ/ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/202-1095199-5618202

I have a 60 Gig Zen Extra. It will hold about 800 Cds. I have used about half its capacity.
It is a little on the large size, but everything else about it is terrific. Easy to load, easy to use. Sound quality is good.
Battery lasts about 14 hours (spec says 11).
I just loaded all my CDs up and selected random play.

> Looks? don't care
> Size? not worried
> Capacity? maximum
> Battery Life? hmm - longer the better I suppose
> Software Support? don't care
> Ease of Use? don't care
> Sound Quality? good (up to 256 kbps)
> Expandability? not that bothered
> Weight? don't care

If the Thompson works only with mp3pro, which at best emulates only up to 128 kbps, that brand is ruled out for a start.

iPod - running Linux....:rollin

In my opinion The Scissor Sisters are well overrated.

HTH.

What are you looking for?

Looks?
Size?
Capacity?
Battery Life?
Software Support?
Ease of Use?
Sound Quality?
Expandability?
Weight?

Come on. Someone must have some advice. You've got opinions on everything else.

ipod, Creative Zen, Archos, ..

Which of these, or some other brand, should I choose, based on ruggedness and capacity above all, and non-obsolescence and market share? (Quibbling about the odd couple of hundred isn't a priority - I want a tip-top model.)

In particular, does the RockBox open-source OS run on anything other than the Archos?