This Creative Zen is always going to been in competition with Ipods but there are two main reasons to choose this zen over the Ipod. The first is that it has a FM radio function, i really like being able to listen to local and national radio stations as a change from the music i've downloaded on to the player. The second reason is that it is incredible easy to add and remove music and data to the palyer direct from your laptop/computer. Although there is software that comes with the player, copying music on to the player is as easy as clicking the file, dragging and dropping it in to the Creative Zen folder on your computer. The 8gb holds a ridiculously large amount of music and i've never had a problem with space on the player. The music files can be copied and moved between any device and computer, and played with any media program unlike the limits imposed by itunes and the Ipod.
This device is tiny and very lightweight, the controls are very easy to use and i find the little joystick at the front a very convenient way of controlling the Zen. The battery lasts forever and can easily be recharged by connecting the player to your computer using your USB cable. I have had this player for nearly two years now and I have had one major problem where it would not turn on or recharge. I looked for advice from the Creative website and found that the problem was that the Zen had lost all its charge. All i had to do was connect it to my computer, recharge it fully and let it update its software so it resets itself. I didn't lose any of the data stored on it and it was as good as new in about 6 hours and it didn't cost me a penny. That's what i call customer service.
I am impressed by the quality of this player and would definitely recommend it to others. I love it and it is as good as the day i bought it two years ago.