Quote from TrueStory:
Wrong. I washed my Ipod in the washing machine and put it through the dryer before I realized it and it came out working. I've also owned it more than your ridiculous one year comment. Apple products are fantastic.
You're 1 out of 10 that has that experience. I would not form my opinion the way I have as I was actually looking to buy an IPOD 1.5 years ago. I actually went around and asked real life people bout their Ipods. You can also search the internet for the general experience. Obviously nothing is 100%, not 100% of Sony products last forever and ever but I have used Sony for PC, TV, Minidisc, PS2, headphones, MP3 and only the PC had the harddrive burn out after 3 years. The Minidisc just refused to stop working, I would love to see any Ipod take even half the abuse the Sony Minidisc can endure
Ipods do have the reputation for being flimsy and to break easy. They aren't good for running, the mini-Ipods fare better but have other issues. They do not have long lifespans, nor were they meant to, otherwise Apple would have a hard time getting the same people to keep buying the new Ipods year after year.
Quote from traderdon56:
OK, so give me a recommendation for which Sony model is a good one. My wife wants one for Christmas, but I haven't got a clue about these things. 2 to 4 GB would be plenty big enough.
Oh, and the best place to buy one 
Thanks
Don-
This is the MP3 player I have but my model is slightly older, from 1.5 years ago. Bought it for $150, the software is great, love the product, the internal battery has a great life and recharge time. 512mb flash mem is fine with me, it's very easy to switch playlists and rotate them. Not to mention how small, sturdy and convienient the player is. I can even spar with it on.
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...dio&CategoryName=audio_mp3players_style_flash
Since you want more mem, thats gonna be more expensive but flash mem has gotten cheaper with time. Just look around, I know Creative Labs has MP3 players with 2-4GB mem at close to half price of what the Ipod costs. The Apple marketing machine has competely overshadowed the competitors, some of which have made great progress and released great products. I bought mine at Circuit City or Best Buy, don't remember as I just compare those 2 and a couple other electronics stores and go to the cheapest one, as one of them is always undercutting the rest on some products on any given day. I'm in NYC so it's about they are all conviently located.