I much prefer the MP3 Cd players. Ok, you can't put 5000 songs on a CD, but, you can simply change CD's. I guess what I like is that I listened to it from LHR to MKY and back again, with a 12hr stop over in SIN. Still listened to it at work. Life of the batteries was over 130hrs. Only cost £80 as well, but of course cheaper in SIN.
I guess over time the battery life of the MP3 iPod types will improve, as we have already seen in mobile phones. Anyone remember carting around a brick phone!