So I have started using this thing and I have to say it really lives up to my expectations. It's pretty, it sounds great, it's fast, and it's just plain nifty. I don't much like the musicmatch software it comes with. It's pretty clunky and doesn't lend itself to easy ripping of my CD's. I'd much prefer Windows Media 9 or something else. Anyhow, I am slowly converting my stuff to .mp3.
I thought you 'youngsters' would get a kick out of some of my music--it includes Steely Dan, the original motion picture soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever, and James Taylor's Greatest Hits. I've got some newer stuff too, like Radiohead, Garbage, and Bjork.
Good purchase, IMHO. I kind of like the belt clip that came with it, too. Seems to protect very well. The remote is neat--reminds me of the remotes similar to it which have been popular in Japan for years.
BTW, I did find that the iPod uses a proprietary hard drive which is smaller than regular laptop hard drives. And I can indeed hear it spinning, writing, etc if I put my ear to it. The battery charging is a stroke of GENIUS--along with the 10 hour/no battery memory technology.
How do I keep fingerprints off this thing?!