Hmmm... do I detect a bit of Apple-bashing?
I have had HP - Ipaqs, Nokia's, Sony Ericssons, iPods and the only time I ever took out a battery was to remove a sim card (in the phones) because the dilly buggars put them under the battery. Apple has an externally accessible sim card for those travellers who prefer to fly & land & change sims to pick up cheaper network coverage and not have to pay international thieving (sorry roaming) charges.
A bit more fwd thinking than the existing bunch don't you think
All I can say is my Nokia is only months away from the recycling station....