the entire ds line is the only electronics product i've ever owned where the clamshell design is something i've praised. i cant imagine the system without it. it makes the handheld.... its effortless and makes perfect sense for the system and its features. the small things like DS games making a remote sound when the system opened/closed made it even better. the action always felt perfect when using the machine.

also, for using the touch screen a fair amount for playing DS games, my 3DS has one light scratch. which is way better than how my DSi fared this far into its life.

the biggest flaw in the 3DS design (IMO) is the 3 way hinge. the screen wobbling is disgusting. the hinge should be much more taunt for the upper screen, instead it feels unreliable and way too breakable.