The LCD screen has an outline to it, but it's not raised above the plastic body. It's flush and even with the rest of the plastic.
I don't know how else to describe it.
And for my money, and my personal preference, yes, the Vita 2000 is superior. And a lot of haters were converts in the other thread I was talking about.
Generally, the people who have seen/had both tend to side with the 2000. Not everyone, but a lot more than you'd think.
But whatever, cheap knock-off, garbage screen, etc. Opinions. To you, I paid for a cheap looking/feeling downgrade. To me, it's nothing of the sort.