Thanks: 
Well, I finally managed to save up enough money to get myself a serious mp3 player.
w00t!
Trouble is, I'm having difficulty deciding between ipod and Zune. I've never actually owned/handled either of 'em myself, so I don't have much to go on except other folks' opinions and consumer reviews...and I've read something like 6+ reviews already (and most seem to be out-of-date).
At the moment, I'm kind of leaning more towards the Zune mostly because
- I'm sick of the ipod - most of my friends have one and I'm weird and want to be different
- the Zune has FM radio. The ipod does not.
However, I figured I'd get some last minute opinions in before I go out and spend $250.
Anyone out there have anything to say about the ipod or Zune?
Or...know of another mp3 player that's worth taking a look at?
. Personally I would look for a refurbished 30gb Zune unless you "have" to have a new one. They are tough MP3 players, had a friend that was really upset at the moment and threw her Zune across the room, put a hole in the wall, and then fell onto the ground and kept playing the song without skipping a beat and continued working just fine. Every person that I have known that has owned a iPod has told me enough stories to keep me permantly scared of ever wanting to own one. You drop it, kiss your $250 good bye! Their HDDs crash after a year or two of owning it, the screens break easily, and the batteries at the longest last on average a year and is $60 to have replaced by Apple and the shipping comes out of your pocket. The only complain/problem I have heard about the Zune is the size of it. Yes it is larger...but to me it is well worth it because of the bigger screen 
. Of course with an iPod you can find accessories EVERYWHERE including gas stations for crying out loud and with the Zune you will be limited in your accessories unless you enjoy shopping online like I do. If you get a Zune I would reccomend getting the travel pack, it is everything you will need for a Zune except for speakers but the headphones that come with it are some of the best SQ headphones I have ever heard. I worked at a retail store for almost two years, so I have seen the best and the worst of both players. The iPod list kept racking up with problems non stop, the Zune...again the only major complaint was the size but then there were a few that complained about finding accessories for them. Try shopping online for a Zune or wait for them to go on sale, save some money for the travel pack!
Whatever you do, don't by a player from Creative! They break way too easy and all 3 of mine had the same technical fault in them after a while. So the fault was definitely in the production, not just the individual player. My brother had one to, and it stopped working when he dropped it from 4 inches or so. After those, I got an iPod just because I knew they would be reliable even though I didn't like them at the time. And now I'm very happy with the decision.
