For many mp3 players, you can just use Windows Media Player (if you're not buying an apple computer). You can rip CDs as much as you want, it has all the same organizing, tagging, artwork, etc. capabilities as other programs.
Some mp3 players come with their own software programs for uploading and downloading.
Whatever software you use, make sure it will rip music to mp3 by default (iTunes converts to an apple-specific format - or at least it did last time I used it, requiring me to convert every music file to mp3 when I went away from apple). That way, no matter what brand mp3 player you buy, you can just load up the music without having to convert it.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)