Ipod, Is it worth it?

I want to get an IPod but is it really worth paying 300/400 bucks for? I mean I have a MP3/ATRAC3 CD player and even though I like it an all it just never seems to get me as the Size of an Ipod. Then theres also the High memory and all but whould it be worth actually paying that much money on it?

Theres also the Ponder about the Ipod Shuffle. I have never seen anyone with the Shuffle so i don’t even know where to begin with that one. SHould i shoot for that or go for the full Ipod? Mini is not an option for me since your basically paying 50 bucks more for alot more memory.