You keep repeating that statement even though it is factually incorrect.
The iPod replacement batteries are readily available
I made no comment about availablity. Crack is also readily available.
your intimidation by the battery-changing procedure does not reflect on the intelligence or abilities of anyone else attempting it
You AppleHeads sure do like personal insults. All I said is you have to dissect the Ipod and this voids the warrant. For many users, the Ipod ends up being disposable or your $300 Ipod will cost $400 to operate over two years (maybe three). Spin all you want, Apple made an MP3 player that is twice as expensive as others and it was not designed for the user to replace the battery (very poor design of a portable device). It sure looks like - based on its design - Apple was hoping you will be buying Ipods over and over.
If you got lots of money to burn, by all means buy an Ipod. Half the storage and twice the price is a small price to pay for the little Apple logo.
You just don't seem to understand. If your iPod battery dies while under warranty, Apple will replace it for free under that warranty. If it dies after the warranty expires, then warranty isn't an issue, is it?
#205, 11:59 AM ET: ...or you can buy a Creative Nomad that is designed to open and uses a readily available battery.
#257, 5:10 PM ET: I made no comment about availablity.
But your information IS wildly inaccurate. You've stated the iPod battery is hardwired, that it can't be replaced by the user, that it costs $200 to have it replaced, you even pointed out that replacing the battery at home voids the warranty (so what?). You've even said that the iPod doesn't support WMA (false)--quite a difference from saying the iPod won't play WMA (true).
You AppleHeads sure do like personal insults.
Who's the Applehead? Me? I don't own any Apple hardware OR software....nor have I ever. Nor do I plan to buy any.