I too share your hatred with Apple products.
However, from what I have been able to tell, ipods/itunes share one feature I have yet to see replicated by any other device or software:
Individualized Equalizer Settings. Meaning, it will adjust the equalizer per song, so if you're listening to an album that has an acoustic opening, but then goes into hard rock afterwards, or perhaps a piano interlude, you can set it accordingly for the best sound.