I agree it would be nice if Casio/Tandy offered a ROM upgrade, but that is NOT the norm in the industry. For example, Hewlett Packard does not offer any upgrade for early buyers of the 100LX -- those folks have 1.01a ROMs, which current buyers are getting 1.04a. IF you have serious problems with a unit, HP will do an express exchange, you the replacement unit will have the newer version.
The Newton case is unusual (but very nice). I suspect part of the decision to use field upgradeable roms was dictated when Apple pushed the Newton out before it was ready. Face it, version 1.0 of the Newton ROM's were more than a little buggy. The Newton would be dead now if Apple had not provided upgradeable units.
While the upgrade is the exception, it would be nice if all manufacturers would consider making that a rule in the future.
CraigSubj: Pocket Quicken