In actuality, the only iPod i would ever buy is the classic with 160 GB. Then i can put everything on there as my collection grows.
However, i got a shuffle for christmas, and that thing is great for just loading on a sick playlist and going skating or traveling a short ways. It saved my life when i was on the 20 minute train to school.
I am now going to get a free iPod nano 8GB thanks to the apple deal, and that's great. I can load a full DVD on there plus have more than enough music to get me through the day. I won't be listening to much or that long without my computer, so the nano makes a lot of sense. I may be showing short films every once and a while, nothing big, so there we are. Besides, it's free.
The iPod touch, i can understand for people who just want to have a fun thing to dork around on, and the full screen video is a HUGE deal if you don't have your computer on a trip. If you were going somewhere, you could load 2 full DVDs and still have more than a days worth of music. You'd be fine. 16 gigs is way too small nowadays though, but let's face it, people buying iPods are into it for the way they look and the status that goes with it, and the touch is the newest deal.
The iPod classic is easily the smartest one to get, the others sorta not that great. However, the nano is the best selling one, partly because people are scared of 80GB things,t hey can't fill it so they don't think they need it.
Whatever, i love that i get a free one!