Consider the $499 iPod that ran for a limited time (only 18 months) and then you had to throw them away. The rechargeable battery was sealed inside and was not user replaceable. But if you accidentally overcharged the battery for too long, you might find out really fast how 18 months can fly by. The only answer was to cough up another $499 to buy a new one (a corporate get rich quick scheme)... until several lawsuits later, Apple changed course and started offering a $99 replacement battery. Just mail in your iPod + $99 plus shipping and whenever we feel like, we'll mail it back to you with a new battery. A rechargeable battry should cost no more than $40... but with Apple, you pay extra for the apples.