have just bought this latest generation i-pod from ebay, they go for around £170-£180 on there and come in full retail packaging, you still get the full garuantee and its cheaper than buying from apple.

The main difference between this and my old i-pod is that its much thinner and its a colour screen. I dont want to repeat what everyone knows about i-pods so will just mention the things that I am wary about

1 - it plays video ? - erm yes but they have to have digital asset management codes attached to them so nothing you downloaded off the net and didnt pay for will work. Check the apple website and then check the price of these downloads, if you are buying an i-pod for this reason make sure you are happy with the charges.

2 - Colour screen ! - is much better than the old screens

3 - Battery life - mine never, and has never lasted as long as apple state it does, mine lasts 5 hours max which is rubbish when you think how good mobile phone batteries are - oh and dont forget you cant change the battery in an ipod yourself so if you use it everyday in a few years time it will be going in the bin

Overall ipods are great and the most stylish, but dont be fooled into thinking they are the best sound quality ever etc, they are not - if you can live without owning something as gorgeous as the ipod (I cant) there are lots and lots of great alternatives that are cheaper