I've a Sony MD-HD and am happy with it as it does what I want (at the moment) but some of its features are frustrating: like if you use one pc to down load to a disc you can't up load it to another computer; you can't fast forward through a track etc, but it was cheaper than an IPod when I got it.

Just a word or warning though, my neice got one of those adaptors to broadcast your IPod to your car radio for Christmas but they are (I'm told) illegal in the UK as they come under the broadcasting legislation and you'd need a licence!