> To make it weigh much less would mean a plastic case and I wouldn't  
> want to have try to design a strong enough one within those size  
> limitations; light but bulky is easy. I can't believe that I'm already  
> seeing whining about it being 'a bit pokey'! What next - why doesn't  
> it have a 2Tb disc, dual dvds, a UPS and coffee maker?

  Well, Panasonic has good ones that are stronger (including bigger
one with an optical drive).  I don't know if the thinness has big
practical value (a bit, I think), but lightness has practical value
and it can be co-exist with durability.  (Check the movies on this page:

http://panasonic.biz/pc/tough/check.html

)

-- Yoshiki