I love my MD. Cheap media, long battery life, shock proof. A minidisc is like $2. Buying a memory stick or whatever isn't cheap. Sound quality of ATRAC kicks MP3's azz 3 times over. MP3 was made for computer whereas MD was designed for being portable music. I don't really have a problem with copy protection since I don't use Sony's software. I have had no problems using RealOne (I know, it's embarassing, but this is all I have it for) to convert MP3 or .wav files to ATRAC and send them to my minidisc. You still get titling functions and stuff like that. When recording in LP2 mode, you get about two CDs onto a MD. LP4 which was mentioned above, you get 5 hr, but quality = poop. SP which is full quality, you get 1 CD. I prefer LP2, sounds good and lots of music. I apologize, I will defend my MD to the end. MP3 is overrated. Besides, everyone has an MP3 player, how many of your friends have MD? Okay that was bad but you get the point