The New SanDisk
I do like the iPods.
The only one I own is the 3rd Generation 30GB iPod. That was my favorite even though it didn't have color screen or anything. I wasn't a fan of the later designs. Yes, it is much more functional to have all the buttons on the Click Wheel, but there was just the cool factor of having seperate buttons for play, menu, etc. Also, the buttons glowed!
The new iPods are much more fleshed out than previous generations, but I just couldn't justify buying the new ones. 30GB is plenty and works for me as that size is still constant in the current iPod line. I can live without a color screen as all I need is a music player.
As for the SanDisk player!
It isn't as thin as the Nano, but it has much more options than the Nano because it is thicker! The FM tuner, which is something that costs 40 bucks through Apple is included in the player. I don't own any Micro SD cards, but they make for a nice way of adding extra memory to your player as Flash technology advances in storage capacity. Also, the screen is nice and bright like the Nano.
Pricewise it is competitive.
If I needed an mp3 player, I would buy it in a heartbeat over the Nano!
I'm sure Apple has new MP3 player products that might make people not pay attention to other alternatives out there. We all shall see soon!
Oh, as for the glowing cool factor of the old 3G iPod player, I think SanDisk should have removed that glowing blue ring. It cheapens the look of the player. It works for the 3G but doesn't work as well for this one. Minimalism is key in this player's case! This is a personal preference of course.
Edit: Oh, a plus for the Sansa is the included Voice recorder and also the ability to record straight through the tuner. It is a useful option for some people. If the built-in microphone is good, that would be a plus for recording class lectures. I record lectures sometimes, since it helps me review my notes to make sure I didn't miss key points of the class.
