I need a portable entertainment device for my vacations...

[Rye]

iPods are NOT guaranteed quality, you'll be following hype, not good reviews. I considered one, then I actually looked around at other possibilities, and I was impressed by every single alternative.

The sound quality on an iPod is sub-par compared to most of the latest MP3 players, it has a more powerful output, but not the quality to match it, couple that with the fact that the higher output burns down the battery insanely fast, you'd be better off with a higher quality player, lower output and better quality headphones.

Something like the Zen Touch : http://creative.com/products/product...&product=10274

Zen NX (One of which I own, and I am VERY happy with it): http://creative.com/products/product...&product=10274

Or maybe a MuVo : http://creative.com/products/product...&product=10659

With Creative, considering they've been in the business of MP3 players for longer than Apple, have a wider range of products and are proven BETTER by specification, you'll have more guaranteed quality with them.

Don't get an iPod, it's equivalent to just taking more money and flushing it down a toilet.

In terms of gaming, get a Gameboy Advance SP, there are no overly impressive DS games out right now compared to a wide library of GBA games, get that for now, enjoy it lots and then trade it in if and when you want a DS. Plus, you can't play old Gameboy games on a DS, only GBA games.

I like the sound quality on the iPod. The only time it was bad was when I was listening to .wav files, which isn't too shocking. I like my 20 GB iPod a lot, but I'd consider bringing my walkman along on a long trip as the iPod's battery life is abysmal. It takes 2-4 hours to charge completely and you get about that much time with it before you need to charge it again.

Though the iPod is pretty nice, despite it's flaws.

I'd recommend a good old GBA and if you have lots of money, a portable DVD player.