16GB+ MP3 Players

CDC2011

Hopefully this is in the right place...

I have £100 of my birthday money left and am currently pondering purchasing a new mp3 player.

My little tiny 8GB goodmans is now full and is beginning to show signs of age (battery not holding well, wirring noises etc)

I've had a good look round and was considering adding some extra cash to splash out on an Ipod Classic but I've since heard their life span has a tendancy to be only a few years, and for the money I'd hope it would last a lot longer.

I've consider the Philips and Creative Zen ranges too which are a bit nearer budget - as well as the Ipod Nano as a cheaper alternative to the classic.

My question is...

Is the Ipod range as good as it looks / sounds and is it value for money or should I consider a different brand?

Any advice / experience appreciated...

Yolina

I'll start by saying that I don't normally do iStuff, however I do have a 120GB iPod classic which was given to me over 3 years ago . It still works fine and I don't remember having any issues with it other than being forced to use that giant piece of bloatware called iTunes... As it happens, the iPod classic is something that can sync happily using MediaMonkey so I've been much happier since using that instead Having said that I would I never chosen an iPod if I'd been given a choice as there's stuff out there which does the same thing perfectly well without the premium price (for what isn't necessarily a premium product, just good marketing!)

Edit: I can't recommend anything specific though because I have no idea what is out there now, I haven't been keeping up.

somersethillbilly

I've always been a big Sony fan, from walkman cassette players, walkman CD players and more lately MP3 players. I think this looks quite a good deal if I was thinking of replacing mine, may help you out, and a few quid change from your BD money?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9255997.htm

CDC2011

Thanks for the comments

somersethillbilly - I had seen that one but its out of stock at the moment and given the reduced price I suspect that it may be discontinued. However I have added myself to the alert so we'll see.

Yolina - agree on the marketing = hyped up price.