Hot MP3 players for the holidays

Got a music lover on your list? These popular MP3 players run the gamut, from hard drive- to flash-based, pricey to cheap, iPod to (gasp!) non-iPod, you name it. 

The bigger, the better
Some music fanatics just can't leave the house without all—and I mean all—of their tunes in their pocket. These hard drive-based MP3 players may not be the smallest on the market, but they've got storage to spare.

iPod Classic
Price: $249 (120GB)
Notes: Obvious choice for Mac users; redesigned, two-paned interface; supports video and iTunes movie rentals; no Wi-Fi; no music subscription support.
Reviews: 4/5 (CNET)

Zune
Price: $249 (120GB)
Notes: Syncs music and podcasts over Wi-Fi; can buy music wirelessly over Zune Marketplace; music subscription (via Zune Pass) available; meet fellow music lovers on the Zune Social; limited selection of TV shows, no movie rentals
Reviews: 4/5 (CNET), 4/5 (PC Magazine)

Ibiza Rhapsody
Price: $299 (30GB)
Notes: No, 30GB isn't a tone of storage, but player offers deep, seamless Rhapsody support over Wi-Fi; works without a PC; podcast support; Web browser; video player
Reviews: Me: "Looks like the new Zune (and the iPod Classic, for that matter) may have some stiff competition"; 3/5 (CNET)

Small, but beautiful
You won't be able to fit your entire music collection on these flash-based players; then again, you can't clip a hard-drive MP3 player onto a key ring, can you?

iPod Nano
Price: 8GB ($149), 16GB ($199)
Notes: Super-slim and trim; new, iPod Touch-like interface; video playback, including iTunes movie rentals; no Wi-Fi; no subscription music support
Review: 4/5 (CNET), 4.5/5 (PC Magazine)

Zune (flash-based)
Price: $179 (16GB); $139 (8GB); $99 (4GB)
Notes: Same Wi-Fi, video, and Zune Social features as its HDD-based big brother; a bit cheaper compared to the iPod Nano; subscription music (Zune Pass) support
Reviews: 3.5/5 (CNET), 3/5 (PC Magazine)

Sansa Fuze
Price: $129 (8GB), $79 (2GB)
Notes: Steep discounts online make this a good choice for bargain hunters; just 0.3 inches thick with a 1.9-inch display; video playback; Rhapsody subscription support
Reviews: 4/5 (CNET), 3.5/5 (PC Magazine)

iPod Shuffle
Price: $49 (1GB), $69 (2GB)
Notes: One of the tiniest (and cheapest) MP3 players out there; clips onto your clothing; no display, so there's no way to browse for songs
Reviews: 3/5 (CNET)

Creative Zen Mozaic
Price: $119 (8GB), $79 (4GB), $59 (2GB)
Notes: FM radio; built-in speaker; voice recorder; video playback; stylish design; a bit clunky at 0.5 inches thick; critics aren't in love with the so-so interface
Reviews: 3.5/5 (CNET), 3/5 (PC Magazine)

They've got the touch
Touchscreens are all the rage, and these flash-based MP3 players have 'em.

iPod Touch
Price: $399 (32GB), $299 (16GB), $229 (8GB)
Notes: Tons of apps available over iTunes; Wi-Fi; video playback, including iTunes movies rentals; TV-out capabilities; one of the best touch UIs on the market; earned stellar ratings from critics; relatively pricey
Reviews: 4.5/5 (CNET), 5/5 (PC Magazine)

Samsung P2
Price: $249 (16GB), $179 (8GB), $149 (4GB)
Notes: Way cool design, snazzy touch interface; lets you take cell phone calls via Bluetooth; supports video rentals via CinemaNow; getting a bit long in the tooth; no 32GB model
Reviews: 4/5 (CNET), 3.5/5 (PC Magazine)

Update: I originally wrote that there is no 16GB version of the Samsung P2; in fact, there is (it was released several months after the original 4GB and 8GB versions). Apologies for the goof.