I'm sure all that will be available for under 100 will be cd mp3 players, and 64/128 meg flash players. I don't mind a cd player, but what's decent? Everyone recommends the iriver ones but those are still out of my budget. As far as flash players go, 64 and 128 megs are nowhere enough space, but if its a decent player and takes an expansion card of some kind, I can deal with it..

Any suggestions?

btw - I forgot to mention I'm not terribly interested in the ipod shuffle (random only playback doesn't work well for me)

http://www.creative.com/products/welcome.a...subcategory=215
http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/shop/_tem...o.asp?model=259
http://www.iriveramerica.com/prod/ultra/100/ifp_180t.aspx
http://www.iriveramerica.com/prod/ultra/800/ifp_880.aspx
- pick one - and don't worry too much about the price tag...you'll most likely find them cheaper using a product search...

I wanted to add that the iPod Shuffle can play entire albums or playlists in order and is not restricted to playing randomly.

From Apple's iPod Shuffle web site:

Under $100:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...e&s=electronics

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...e&s=electronics

Under $130 (definitely worth it!!):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...ronics&n=507846

Cd/mp3 players are better because having 128 megs on a flash-based is definitely not enough.
Panasonic SL-CT710 - $100
Panasonic SL-SX430 - $50

I have sl-sx428, which is just sx430 without a remote.
+never skips
+proper vbr mp3 support (I mean, cd/mp3 walkman sometimes skips vbr mp3 because its buffer becomes empty and it doesn't spin up disc in time)
+very high Signal to noise ratio
+very long battery life
+made in Japan
-no support for id3 tags (sl-ct710 does have one)
-no backlight (also present in sl-ct710)

If you decide you want something smaller then a CD player I'd say the Creative Muvo N200's are excellent. I got a 256 meg version for 89 dollars off newegg and its damn sexy too better looking then the iPod Shuffle.

I was thinking I might need more then 256 on there but now that I think about it I don't really listen to that many hours of music in a given day and I can just switch it up later on. The 512 version is 20-30 dollars more so its up to you.

I might return mine and get a 512 version since 30 dollars for 256 extra sounds like a deal.

Some links:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....-102-148&depa=0

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...ronics&n=507846

I'd go for the Shuffle. It does not shuffle if you don't want it to. And it's 512Mb for a good price. Lack of screen is totally secondary (at least for me). I personally am waiting for one (first place in my MacShop preorder list).

Ultra ULT31576 $65 after rebate in Zipzoomfly.com
256MB of internal memory and uses SD cards. FM radio and voice recorder.
There is a review somewhere, search for it.

Lexar LDP-600 $100
256MB, FM, Voice recording, Sennheiser Headphones support SD cards up to 1Gig but the interface really, really sucks.
and uses Li-polymer not removable batteries.

IRiver IFP-790 $105 after $15 discount and $30 rebate in Staples.
Have everything but the kitchen sink but 256MB is limiting since there is no expansion card.

Also IFP-780 $75 after rebates in staples but 128MB is too low.

If were you I'll go for either the Ultra or the iFP-790.

Good luck,
And Payme back with a review here in these forums, you lucky bastard. :-)