I hate my N800. I have spent too much time on it!
Hate it!

Don't buy it if you don't have time for it!

I have little expierience with linux, and no where near me has either in stock, which is why I have been going off of internet reviews, and I posted this here because, who better to know the n800's capabilities than people who have, I really don't care about the organation and looks, as long as it plays my music also. I really didn't know you where all pro nokia either, I figured, you would just say what the honest truth, if it would do everything I am wanting.

also is it true that the nokia has flash and the ipod doesn't?

Yes, the ipod does not have flash. The n800 can play flash videos reasonable well and most flash things work just fine.

The reason why everyone here would be "pro-nokia" is because we all compared the n800 to the ipod touch and decided that the n800 was better. So obviously all of us are going to tell you that the n800 is better.

There are, indeed, some Nokia "haters" (or at least disillusioned & disgruntled users) sighted on these forums from time to time. But what follows is as honest a report as I know how to give.

From what I've heard, the N800 is inferior to the iStuff for video playback if you stick to stuff the iStuff can play. So it's a tradeoff -- play everything, kinda OK, or play only h.264 really well.

If video's a really major use for you, and you're not willing to transcode whatever video you get to a suitable format, you probably shouldn't get either. I've heard some Archos devices are much better. The screen does beat the iStuff for image quality and viewing angle. It's great for viewing photos, but video playback is said to be a bit anemic.

For audio, go N8x0. It's no worse sound quality, handles a wide range of codecs, and has built-in speakers to boot.

Either audio or video really requires a different media player -- I believe we've attained consensus on these forums that the built-in one is no use.

Web-browsing, the N8x0 wins hands-down. Full-size screen means you get the whole web, can read PDFs, everything. Decent browser, though not as good as Opera on the old OS.
AJAX stuff like Google Docs works well, too.

You mentioned whether it has flash? For a moment, I thought you meant flash rom. You mean Shockwave Flash? Dead right! N8x0 has the whole web, including flash games, iStuff hasn't!

Games, I don't know how the iStuff will be when the SDK comes out, but the N8x0 is quite good. DOS emulation, several-other-things emulation (Game boy advance & I-don't-know-what-all), native Linux game ports (Powermanga!) and of course, Doom, Quake, and Quake II. And Flash games (see above) which the iStuff may never have.

how well is the gameboy emulation, that sounds like something I might use if I get it, which I am pretty sure I am

Dunno, I don't use it.

The Ipod touch is easier to carry in your pocket. Also next month Apple will officially support third party applications. On the other hand it has no bluetooth unlike the n800, so you can't use an external keyboard or tether a phone, the screen is as you said not as good as the n800, and you can't use a stylus to write notes.

The n800 isn't perfect either. Installing applications on the n800 can be a hassle, some applications are half-finished, but you can directly communicate with the developers here and ask for a feature. The games are somewhat limited, maily older gameboy titles and quake/doom.

Here is an interesting side-by side comparison by Thoughtfix, who also visits this forum.

People keep saying that, but I don't have any pockets small enough to be an issue... Does someone, anyone, have a pocket they want to carry their N800 in, but it won't fit?

no, mine fits in all my pockets just fine.

Seriously. I want to see some of the pants these non-fitters are wearing.