With a hundred short, I have decided to either get the 8gb iPod nano or the Creative Zen 2.5" mentioned in the "New Zune" thread.

Both cost around $200.

Which one seems like the better deal?

Zen

Get the 80g iPod classic, 10x the space, $50 more.

Well the screens are the same size, but the Zen has more compatibility with different video formats. The iPods hardware has broken on me on some occasions (defected product, I didn't drop it in anyway), but since I had 3-year warranty Best Buy gave me a new copy of the same iPod for my broken one. Although that was very nice of them, it does get annoying to go back and forth to Best Buy and reformatting the new iPod.
My main concern if I buy my Zen, will I have great customer service with it?

I only use my Ipod nano (2nd generation?) to listen to music. Hasn't broken down on me once. People aciually want to watch videos on that tiny screen?

I've just got the 1GB Best Buy Special

Seems like something I see a lot of students do during class.

All I really want is a good music player. (I had the shuffle, it was great 'till SPLAT)

If you just want a music player I'd get the nano. The thing is really tiny so you'll pretty much forget about it in your pocket. If you were more into video I'd say the Zen.

50x worse sound quality.

Honestly, I'm not an audiophile but even I can tell.

If I were you I'd google reviews and decide for yourself.

Like an actual real big boy.

well i think you know my opinion as i stated i was getting the 4gb zen.
i want to point out your concern with the micro sd cards you already own and their compatibility. the zen site says more may compatible but not listed and seeing as your make and model with half the capacity is listed it may be safe to assume your 2gb cards will be fine. i'll be using a couple of other sd cards i have hanging around.

what's the need for the 8gb if it's expandable with external memory? 2000 128kbps songs isn't enough? maybe 1000 at 256kbps? 32hr. crappy video or 24hr ok video not enough for those 36hr flights you take? jk. just wondering why people need soooo much memory in a portable device that presumably they will be syncing and sorting with a pc at least once a week or 2.

If my experience with Creative is any indicator: No

I agree. But then again I haven't used a Zune to compare. Still, the Ipod nano is fine for casually music listening, I wonder if you can still get an older version of nano for a cheaper price. The only real problem is that the small little wheel thing in the front (that helps select songs, controls volume, etc.) gets flimsy after some use. Sometimes it gets to be very innacurate, but then again, I use my nano when I have hands covered in charcoal, adhesives, paint and other stuff. I don't care about watching movies or looking at pictures on a tiny thing like that.

I've bought two products from creative in my life. Both were defective with problems that the company had long known about.

.

If you want to buy 99c songs at itunes music store, you have to use the ipod right? With the new amazon mp3 store, you can use either one (but they don't have as many songs). I have an old creative labs flash-based mp3 player, and I haven't had a problem with it. I was never really interested in watching videos on my mp3 player, either.