Handles on the original iBooks made sense, the case on them was rugged, scratch resistant, had rubberized bits around the bottom (when it was being carried) corners, and there was 2-3" of extra cushion around the screen. They were meant to be carried that way, and had the handles to prove it. The new iBooks, as well as the current and new PowerBooks, weren't meant to be bounced around without a case, and have no handles to discourage you from doing exactly that. Everyone is always saying how Apple has these great designers, and then they insist that they themselves have an idea (like adding handles to the new iBooks or the now-old TiBooks) that Apple didn't think of.. of COURSE Apple thought of it.. they just had the sense to know it was a bad idea.