The battery looks removable, although I haven’t researched this. The back is stuck on with double-sided tape, but is still solid after removing it to replace the memory card. The unit might feel a little slick to hold as it is smooth so hopefully there will be a case for this. YMMV but Bed Bath & Beyond does have a good return policy. I have heard stories of units that has some cracks on the edges, but my unit was fine. I heard a little rattle when shaking although I didn’t see anything loose. Overall, the unit has a nice weight to it, and a solid feel. The sound output isn’t bad, but I wouldn’t rock out to the external speakers as the videos play in landscape mode, and the sound could get lost unless you crank it up.

The bottom features the headphone jack for typical earplugs and stereo speakers. It wasn’t bad, but weird to see when using the Novel. When holding the unit with the left hand and using my right index finger to swipe pages, a firm poke worked, though you can see the reaction (smearing) on screen with the digitizer. I had a stylus from a Palm TX that did the trick (also can use the reset pin when unscrewed on the Novel reset hole.) But when using the Novel, a finger did do the trick. This is a resistive touchscreen (PDA as opposed to a capacitive one (iPhone, Droid phone) so it needs a nice pointy finger, or a stylus for maximum control. They do feel sturdy enough for extended use. It has a sliding power switch and a rocker for volume control. There are not many controls on the Novel. The rest is in white plastic smooth but not cheap feeling. The screen is glass on top, and is a fingerprint magnet, but seem to handle wear OK, although I want to cobble a screen protector.

The white Pandigital weighs about 1.lb 2.0z, about the same as a 326 page hard cover book. Pandigital currently has one unit out a white with a black matte 7 1/2″ by 5 1/2″, although an all black unit will be out soon. To utilize both memory cards you have to boot without the external card. NOTE: If you turn on the Novel with the external SD inserted, the Novel will not recognize the internal card. The Novel also has a external SD slot that can use up to 32 gigs. The Novel is a solid unit that uses a rechargeable battery that can be removed/replaced unofficially as well as an internal 1gig Micro-SD card that can be replaced. The box contains a Mini-USB cable, AC power supply (The Novel DOES NOT Charge via USB A shame, but not impossible.) A stand (that can be used to sit the Novel for charging or viewing pictures.) and the manual. I ran to grab a unit at Bed Bath & Beyond with a 20% off coupon and a PDF of a $20 rebate (to send to Pandigital) in hand to eagerly try it out.

Pandigital scanner charger