Oh gosh I recommend the Zen ten fold. I don't like iPods, but hey if they work for you and you like it that's what matters. I just personally think if I am going to buy an mp3 player I want to buy it from a company that specializes and was founded on making soundboards, so they know sound quality lol. Apple, on the other hand, specializes in computers, not necessarily sound. I just think that Creative makes a better product (not only that, but Apple took the prototype for the iPod from Creative's Jukebox when it first came out years and years ago. So Creative was the first to stick its foot in the market, they just didn't have near as much money for mass advertising like Apple did). If I'm going to spend my money it would be on a Zen. Just seems you are getting more quality, not to mention more space, for the same price as an iPod.

BUT this is just my opinion lol