I bought a Sony Walkman NWA100 MP3 player 2 years ago to be different to all the iPod users out there. It's served me well and I never leave the house without it but now feel it's time for an upgrade. My friend does have an iPod and the sound on it knocks the socks off of my Walkman.

Do I go for the iPod or have Sony come up with a good rival?

Also, will the Sonic Stage software on my laptop with all song stored be easily transferable to an iPod if I choose to buy one or will it mean starting from scratch and uploading/downloading all over again

Thanks for your advice
Shrilly x