[ovi256]

If you like the hardware, but not iTunes, why not buy and use the hardware (and Mac OS X, of course) and get media through other means ? That's what I do. I still use iTunes as a music player and I've downloaded some free stuff. And of course you can sync external media to an iPod through iTunes, so no worries.

[pilib]

uhm, it doesn't matter how pragmatic I try to be in regard to my decisions regarding tech. equipment I use, I tend to avoid those kinds of compromises.