In the world of MP3 players, there is the iPod, and then there are the rest. iPod belongs in the same world as Xerox, Coke, Lego, and TiVo are in. All of them have gone beyond just being brands and become synonymous with the products they are representing. Only a few brands have that distinction, and this is what makes iPod stand out among MP3 players.

When you turn on the TV or read the papers, you don't encounter celebrities singing praises for iRiver or Creative Labs MP3 players. Instead, they talk about iPod and just how hot it is to have one. Because of this, many people seem to have forgotten about the existence of other MP3 players, which is a shame. There are more affordable MP3 players with lesser known brand names in the market. Many of them have the features iPod offers. Take, for example, disk space. If you buy a non-iPod MP3 player, you can get more value for your money. The Toshiba 60GB player costs $249 while the iPod 60GB is worth $399. That's a huge price difference of $150 with just the same disk space! If budget is still a factor in your decision making, this is an option you may want to look into.

Aside from the more attractive price, other MP3 players offer more flexibility when it comes to formats. The audio and video formats of iPod can be inconvenient for people who are already used to other types. Apple uses its exclusive formats for iPod while other MP3 players allow a variety of formats to be used. If you already have a load of music in a format not supported by iPod, it's better if you look for an MP3 player that does support what you have. In the long run, the right choice can save you a lot of headache.

In the end, it's best if you choose a product that fits your budget and meets your needs. The iPod, though ranked top in the list of MP3 players, isn't necessarily the best choice for you. Just make sure that you're happy with whatever MP3 player you end up buying, regardless of its brand.