Apple's batteries cost, from what I've heard somewhere between £50~100, and you have to send it away to get the battery replaced.

For Creative products they cost about £10 or so, depends where you get them from.

Though one thing, when my Nomad broke, I went through the returns process and sent it back, thinking they'd just send me back mine repaired, but instead they just sent me a whole brand new, complete set, new player, box, carry case, battery, leads, EVERYTHING.

I doubt Apple would do the same thing, nor would they re-instate the year warranty on the new product carrying on one year from when you recieved the replacement like Creative do.