1) Apple iPod nano 2G
Apple’s iPod nano, now in its second generation,picks up right were the first generation left off. While offering three different storage capacities, two of these three (2GB, 4GB) come under the $200 mark to hold up to a total of 1,000 songs. Multiple color body choices offer a small rainbow of choices. The iPod nano sports a 1.5-inch color LCD screen housed in a body which is just a little over a quarter of an inch thick. Besides being able to play music, the nano can also carry one’s digital photos so that they can be viewed on the go. Other features include the familiar Click Wheel and playlist support.

2) Creative Zen MicroPhoto
The Creative Zen MicroPhoto borrows iPod nano features and puts them in a slightly larger body. Capable of storing upwards of 4,000 songs (8GB model), the Zen MicroPhoto offers up to 15 hours of music playback via its rechargeable battery. It can also display one’s photos on its 1.5-inch color OLED screen. Other features include eight different background screen color options, a FM tuner/recorder, multiple body colors and a vertical touch pad for music and photo selections.

3) SanDisk Sansa e250
The Sansa e250 is the 2GB model (holds up to 960 WMA songs while reportedly getting upwards of 64 hours of playback) of SanDisk’s current flagship e200 MP3 players. With a stylish design and a 1.8-inch TFT color screen, the e250 offers a lot of value for the dollar. It supports Microsoft PlaysForSure subscription music, offers expandable memory via a microSD memory card slot, has FM tuner/recorder capability, has voice recording and supports video playback.