I've gone through one iPod, my first one got stolen, my second one is still going strong, but I recently bought a new one, which is being shipped to me at the moment, because instead of 8 gigs, it's 16. I don't know how you guys break them, I go skiing with mine all the time, and running, in the pour rain even, and it's fine. I had problems with headphones until I got some that the cord is a rope-ish material.
I've got a 16gb Zune, which is slightly smaller than my (non-smart) cell phone. I can't remember what I spent on it. $150, maybe? Definitely been worth the money.
OT: I love the Cthulu mythos, but ATM, I am watching one of the absolute worst movies in the genre. To any fans, avoid, "In Search of Lovecraft" at all costs. The dialogue, acting, story, and special effects are the height of cheese, and not in a good way.