Why did Apple move the ports to the side? They are more accessible, I'll give them that. But they are now unprotected and aesthetically, it is not as nice as having them in the back (in my opinion). For example, when you are sitting at your desk, you have all your cables coming out on the side in view, as opposed to down the back of your table behind the screen.
Does the new AL screen hinge allow for Apple to return the ports to the back of the Powerbook? It would be a shame if all that valuable real estate was functionally blocked off by the screen.