granted, top of the line is expensive, but these things record wonderfully (i have no use for it and little money, so the mzn505 is where i go). Unfortunately, sony #%@% up their netMD software.. basically a POS. I'm generally not too patient to go for real time recording.. altho someone wrote a little front end which helps the cause.
Anyway, I just like the MD.. i can swap whenever when i feel like it. I have no reason to convert anyone, cause i think a majority of the ppl will be happier w/ an MP3 player unless they record concerts and stuff.
As for the HD based mp3 players.. the ipod is the biggest i'd ever want. But i don't like HD based players.. too damn delicate. I just don't want to have to worry about it. I've had my share of audio players. memory based mp3 players generally do have a size advantage (sony's top line is great tho.. and it's competition,... just damn expensive). But i'm just more keen to MD for some reason. to each his own.
And the only remote that comes close to sony's sticks is the iriver one. that's something i really like.
As for data on the MD.. i think a drive existed, but no longer sold... also needed data md and didn't work with audio ones.. from what i understood. If i could use it as a data storage medium.. now that would be nice.
Linh