40,000 songs! The 160GB model can hold my current CD collection (which is pretty substantial) and all the music I buy for years to come. Or you can fill it with 200 hours of video, though the 2.5-inch, 320 x 240 pixel display is too small for long term video viewing.

The iPod classic -- which is really the latest incarnation of the beloved original iPod design -- delivers the things most of us have long loved about our iPods, plus an enhanced user interface that features the Cover Flow feature that lets you view and "flip through" the covers of your digital albums (assuming you've added the appropriate artwork). Though not as impressive as on iPhone and iPod touch's bigger screen, it's still a whiz bang feature, though a big sluggish on the 160GB version.

The iPod classic has a thinner (2.4 x 4.1 x .41 or 2.4 x 4.1 x .53 inches, depending on the model), stainless steel enclosure that seems more scratch-resistant than its predecessors. It's available in silver and black only, so if you were fans of the long-time white iPod, you'll be disappointed.

Apple says the iPod classic -- the only remaining iPod model to sport a hard drive rather than flash memory -- features up to 40 hours of music playback and seven hours of video playback in the 160GB model, and up to 30 hours of music playback and five hours of video playback in the 80GB model on a single charge. I test drove the 160GB version and actually got about three more hours of music playback and a half hour more of video playback than the official specs indicate.

The new iPod classic comes pre-loaded with three games: iQuiz, an entertainment trivia game; Vortex, a360 degree brick-bashing game; and Klondike, asolitaire card game. Additional games aree available for purchase from the iTunes Store.

I'm tempted to five the iPod classic a Macsimum rating of 10 out of 10, but have to deduct a point for two reasons. You have to re-purchase games you've previously bought (I mean, c'mon!) and the classic doesn't work with some accessories, especially the ones that let you send video or photos from the iPod to a TV screen.

Otherwise, this is a near-perfect product. If you want a product that truly lets you carry a large hunk of your digital lifestyle around with you, the iPod classic can't be beat.

Both models, for Mac or Windows, are available through the [url=http://www.apple.com]Apple Store[/url], Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. All iPod nano models include earbud headphones, a USB to 30-pin cable and a Universal Dock Connector.

The iPod classic requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS X v10.4.8 or later and iTunes 7.4; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2) or later and iTunes 7.4. Internet access is required and a broadband connection is recommended.