Portable Music (MP3) Players Options

[jcdietz03]

I decided I need one of these. I found a podcast I want to listen to on the road. Yeah, its 2008 and I'm finally getting a MP3 player. So...

What is the best MP3 player? I have heard a lot about iPod. It is true what they say? (i.e., that iPod is the best MP3 player). My family members have iPods and they say they like them.

What MP3 player do you use and which one would you recommend for podcast listening?

My music collection consists entirely of unprotected game music MP3s. I don't listen to music too often.

I'm willing to spend $200.

[Greifer]

It all depends on what you need.

Because the Zune is Microsoft's answer to the iPod, it's much cheaper.
There are two new Zunes, the small, nano-like 4-8G, and then the revamped 80G, which is a bit larger.

All iPods (minus the shuffle) play videos now, as do all Zunes.
Also, the interface for the iPod is a bit rough around the edges, but the new Cover Flow function is kinda cool. You can scroll through the album art and pick songs.

The only thing I think the Zune has the the iPod doesn't is the ability to share music between Zunes.
At least that's what I hear.