New mp3 player -- to iPod or not to iPod

My esteemed colleagues,

Just got a new computer that I'm hooking up this weekend, a PC with Vista Premium.

At the same time, I'm in the market for a new mp3 player to replace the little 512K SanDisk I've had for a couple of years.

Before I start downloading (or transferring) my music to the new computer, I have to decided whether I want to go ahead and get me an iPod Nano or get one of the off-brands (probably a SanDisk Sansa).

So, all you iPod buffs and/or alternate mp3 users, will it be worth it for me to pay the extra money for the 4GB Nano (and probably the time spent re-ripping music), or do you think I can get by with the Sansa and the MusicMatch/Windows Media Player I've been using up until now.

Also, I've heard the iTunes doesn't work particularly well with the Vista. How big a consideration would that be?

Awaiting your advice.

P.S. BTW, I've just hit four figures in posts. Hooray!

 

I loe my iPod. I know people have had problems with that and other mp3 players, but I love mine.

How much were you going to spend. My 8G one was a gift, but Id love to get the 30 or 80G one day.

And they are supposedly fixing the iTunes so it will work with vista, but I would definitely check first.

 

Save a couple bucks. Warranty is the same as new.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=989AF434&node=home/specialdeals/ipod

 

Love my iPod. I don't know anyone who has had both an iPod and an off-brand mp3 player who didn't prefer the iPod.

And they play mp3s, so unless you've been ripping stuff to an odd format like WMA there's no reason to re-rip them.

 

I've had an iPod, an iriver and some other thing whose brand and model I can't currently remember.

iPod wins, hands down.

 

mpc, we've got both in my house, and I honestly believe neither has an edge over the other in the IPod vs. SanDisk race. Both get the job done; both have much the same features.

 

iPod it up. Best thing that I've gotten in the last five years.

 

I have a philosophic problem with the iPod. When the battery dies, you can't change it. Seems to me that basic maintenance is something that the consumer should be allowed to do.