Is the N800 hardware lacking in the looks department these days?

I still think the n800 is a slick looking device. Everything these days is going for that really slick black, maybe the next device will feature something like that.

As I'm looking at my n800 and trying to decide how to vote, I'm thinking that it'd be nice to keep it exactly the way it is, but make the face-plate black with a chrome bezel instead of the current silvery-color. Maybe I'll photoshop it and see how it looks. I'm pretty partial to black though.

Just get Texrat's replacement faceplates and DIY

I personally never liked the looks of the N800 (I associate it with "toy" whereas the 770s look translated to "business"), but I learned that this is really a matter of personal preference and shouldn't be over-stressed. The customers who prefer looks over functionality buy Apple, anyway.

However, the physical design does have some serious flaws that are not subject to personal taste:
dimensions: compared to a 770 (cover off) its a brick. yes, there's new hardware that takes space and increases weight, but it's hardware like the camera, not really supported by the software, that makes me wonder why I should carry it around.
protection: the device is meant for mobile internet access. with my 770, I put the cover on, throw the thing in my backpack and put some books and a pair of shoes on top of it without a thought. try this with the N800 in its "sock". even an additional leather case doesn't protect it the way it should.

I hope that a possible successor is more like a 770 again than like an N800. I really feel I want to spend money on a new tablet as soon as possible, but the N800 simply isn't mobile enough.

You left out the option I'd go for:

° Fugly, please never change.

I do like my N800 on either side (functions and look), but I also am impressed at seeing iPhone reviews and how its interface is more mobile-tailored than Hildon, not only look-wise

I second the vote that a future tablet design should include the hard lid (with magnet to OPTIONALLY trigger power management) like on the 770. Give us a real softpouch, too, not the oh soo crappy eyeglass case that came with the N800. I have never felt as good about caring my N800 with me all the time as I did my 770.

I would like more substantial buttons than the N800 currently provides (again, more like the 770). The chiclet keys and combined button trios are a really bad idea. I know a lot of users would like some application assignable buttons on the right hand side of the screen bezel to enable better gaming experiences. In general, I felt the 770 had more mature, distinctive styling.

I like the look of the N800. I think it's more slick and good-looking than the 770 (but then again I never bought the 770 so didn't get a chance to build up any affection for it)

Too late! I'm OUT.