Basically what everyone wants : -sony batterylife -ipod large storage (32 -40 is the most ideal) -no click wheel (it sucks) -better supplied earphones -better sq and eq My sister is using a ipod, and she loves the way my sony NW5 and NWA3000 sounds. Frankly speaking, I have more problems with itune than Sonicstage. I like Sonicstage way of having the alphabet at that side, faster access.