No other product like it....

I use the iPod for so many things in my life.

I purchased the 10 gigabyte iPod from my local Apple store after spending a great deal of time researching and actually using and "playing" with the units at the store.

Design: The iPod is simple, elegant and laid out for one hand operation. Grasping the iPod with your hand and using your thumb to operate the touch sensitive dials works great. The touch sensitive face is very easy to operate (almost too easy at times). Luckily, Apple has a "hold" feature that locks the face so keys are no inadvertently pushed as you carry the unit around. The back lighting and face lighting work wonderfully at night and the iPod is a breeze to use at night or in low lighting. Slimmer than a deck of cards, the iPod is perfect for pocket storage and very light.

Battery life: Slightly disappointing. Although Apple would like you to believe you can get 8 hours of play out of your iPod, 4-6 is more like it if you use it the iPod the way most people use it. If you want the full 8 hours, turn off the backlighting alltogether, turn off the equalizer, and don't use the forward or back keys (use menu and browse keys) to get around. If you like to jam loud, this will also have an effect on your listening time. The good news is, only one hour on the FireWire or AC charger (a car charger is also available) brings the iPod back up to 80% charge and you're ready to go again. There is also an available additional battery pack for long trips that adds 20 hours of life.

Skipping: I train for marathons year-round and have NEVER had the iPod skip on a run. Ever. I've bounced it around in my briefcase on the subway, slapped it on the desk, and never had it skip. The reports I read of "skipping" are more likely defects in the audio file.

Versatility:I use my iPod for everything. I use it to transport Dreamweaver files back and forth to the University for classes versus messing with ZIP disks. In FireWire "enabled" mode the iPod is a drag and drop hard drive that you can store anything on: Word files, Quark documents, Dreamweaver sites (I use ti to transport files back and forth from home and work as well). I also use the optional compact flash card reader to download images off of my 512mb flash card onto the iPod so I can keep shooting. I use the iPod in my car with the iTrip FM broadcast module to listen to my music in the car....

Now you're probably saying "Wow that's a lot of accessories to buy." You'd be right, and they are expensive. The turn side to this is that you end up with a tool that you can not only use for music, but for storing and moving your files around, recording voice memos, maintaining contacts, calendars and a whole list of other items to help you in your everyday life.

Earbuds: The sound quality from the provided earbuds is excellent, loud and clear. The only downside is that the buds may not fit all users. I find mine falling out during running or if i don't have them "jammed" in just right. The problem is, "jamming" them in hurts after a while. Again sound quality is excellent, but try on a pair at the Apple store if you can before your purchase if you think this might be a deal breaker for you. It shouldn't - there are plenty of other earphones available if these don't fit.

iTunes: All iPods now ship with iTunes as the music/computer interface for both Windows and Mac users. Here you can set up smart playlists (anytime you download a certain artist, iTunes automatically puts it in the right file), buy music for .99 per song from Apple's excellent music library, and download all your CD music to your iPod. There's much more, but those are the basics. I hook my iPod using the FireWire dock which is quite handy and sync my music daily.

Durability: The iPod comes out of the box shiny, beautiful and gorgeous. Unless you would like it to become scratched and less "shiny" quickly, buy a case or "skin" for your iPod. The stainless back scratches easily as does the face. (There are cleaners for this, don't dispair.)

All in all, I am very happy with my iPod aside from the few pesky items I mentioned.