If a 20Gb player is fine for you then I recommend the Sony NW-HD5. Sweet little player, good sound quality and has the following two benefits over an iPod:
1. It has a battery that will last between 25-30hrs on a single charge - very good, iPods do not get close, their batteries are shite. And it's removable so if it does go dead on you, you can just plug another straight in and not have to send it to Apple to be replaced $$$$$
2. It's not an iPod
I fookin hate the things, had 3 different models and found them awful, crap sound and as I have said batteries are next to useless after a couple of months.
Have 3 friends with the Sony and they are all happy 4/5 months later. Creative's are OK too, was happy with the one I had before until I left it on the train after a few too many after work
