Apple iPod photo 4th Generation (30 GB) MP3 Player

I bought my iPod in June 2005, after returning the Creative Labs Zen. While the Zen was cool, the iPod photo is a much, much better device, and one I'd recommend over any non-Apple player.

1. The finishes are beautiful from the minute you open the box to every day use - this thing is a design wonder.
2. It's very intuitive. I upload photos from my PC to have them for my commute and occasionally to show to friends. Everything just works the way that you'd expect it to. I wanted to use the voice recording feature to record my toddler - you plug in the little iTalk Device from Griffin and it automatically opens the voice recording feature. The pause/play/record flow for this was terrific.

3. The devices that go with Apple's iPod line are terrific - there's a whole cottage industry that has sprung up around these things and the devices are great.

4. The sound quality is terrific. Get a cable to plug the thing into your stereo and it works just like a CD player - the sound is gorgeous.

What's not so great:

- It scratches very quickly/easily.
- Don't drop it! It doesn't like being dropped (get a Nano if you're going to beat up on the thing
- The USB connectors cables for it are proprietary (typical Apple)
- It doesn't support the subscription services with music "to go" like Rhapsody.

That said - I'd recommend this player very highly. I'm very happy with it.