Apple iPod classic 7th Generation Black (160 GB) (Latest Model)

Many websites talk of the decline of the MP3 player now the smart phone has arrived, but there is still room for a quality product like this.
Video is crisp and surprisingly watchable given the size, I would not be put off watching a movie in flight. Sound is good, with the use of the equalizer, while the most popular creative headphones offer cheap sound isolation. This is a great deal of hard drive space, my 2nd gen Nano's capacity was too small at 4gb, 160gb however stores every album in the house and a large video collection too, and is still only a third full. A dock is also a good move and there are many to suit all budgets, mine now sends video to TV. Adding an FM transmitter offers all your music to your car's stereo too.
Downsides: Itunes software, not a fan myself, though some reviewers like it, I find the layout awkward when all I need is ripping CD's and 'drag and drop', so I may use Win-amp instead. Grace-note doesn't provide as many covers as I'd like and I'd like to sort tracks how I want them rather than how Apple wants me to. The addition of a protective case is essential, as even the tiniest mark is visible, but these are cheap and plentiful on Ebay.
All in all a good purchase, but some may consider it overkill if only an occasional listener. Future competition may lie in the streaming of music to smart phone apps, as this affords radio too, rather than clunky Pod casts, it seems that easy to use devices always cost more, but for now it is a worthy contender for those who like their products to do what they're intended to.