Alternatives To Ipods, Please Help

Cowon is notable for some of the best sound quality ever. The J3 is a really modern touchscreen player. It has a great screen as well. They don't come in that high GB I think but they do have an SD card slot so if you get the one with the most space you can add more (you'll have to look into what the highest you can get is). If you want a cheaper on Cowon has older players with great sound quality as well that would be cheaper.

Few companies seem to be interested in making large capacity players these days. Apple is one, but you've already crossed them off the list. Archos is another (Archos 5 Internet Tablet...up to 500GB of raw storage), though their recent reputation for quality builds is rather spotty and I'm not sure that they would really last any longer than an iPod.

had a 30gb zune since launch, love it. after ~ 2 years, dropped the first from 5 ft onto asbestos tile over concrete floor, (meaning it's rockwell hardness of a zillion) with no sleeve or case and it continued to work, albeit with a few hiccups. probably scratched the drive. Got a deal on a used one from a friend to replace it, she bought it at launch and it works flawlessly today, battery and all- SO I can say they are quite reliable.
In a month they will be 4 years old.
Now how this applies to a new one is anyone's guess. The software works well. Haven't spent a dime in the Zune store or anywhere else.