SanDisk Sansa c250 (2GB)

Pros: VERY easy to setup, easy to sync and/or drag and drop files to it, nice and straightforward user interface

Cons: not as feature rich as some other MP3 players, need to be careful not to lose USB cord that comes with it

Summary: The Sansa c250 is a great MP3 player for those who do not want (or need) all the little fancy (and often unnecessary) little extras. If you are looking for something that is nice, compact, and plays music for you without any gimmicks, then this is the player to buy.
There is no need to install any extra software that comes with it unless you really want to, since one can easily just drag and drop files between your own PC and it. Also, the sync feature in Windows Media Player seems to be a great way to move files between this and your PC, though I'd recommend using WMP11.
It is a great value, and it is quite obvious why this is the second most popular MP3 player (second only to the iPod). While for some, 2GB may not be quite enough, this item is expandable with a compact SD drive bay. One thing that is nice that the battery is easily replaceable; so there is no need to send the item in for a simple battery replacement.
In short, for those who want a more down-to-earth alternative to the iPod, this product is the way to go.