Well, the middle of the board is practically [GBA cart length - 1cm + DS cart length] long. The board has to be that big because of the physical size of the game carts. I admit, it looks like the gap between the connectors could've been shurnk a bit more, but definitely not 1cm.

I guess they could layer the GBA cart connector and the DS cart connector, that would've made a thicker DS, espcecially with the touch screen and all. Or I guess they could've had DS carts sticking out a bit.

I think Nintendo would've done so if it were practically possible. The Opera browser is suppose to come with a RAM extension that fits in the GBA slot. Rather than releasing a module the that is just the size of a normal GBA cart, they are also releasing one that fits completely inside the DS Lite. This shows that, they too, aren't fond of the whole "GBA cart sticking out" mess. I think that it costs more money and time to make and distribute different size RAM carts for the GBA slot, then it would have taken to downsize the DS Lite circuit board. I am sure that Nintendo played around with it.

I am not trying to say that the DS Lite has no flaws. I too am annoyed by the GBA cart sticking out, though my explanation why is reasonable. Some have no problems with GBC carts sticking out of the GBASP or like a poster said, the Play-Yan sticking out of a GBA. That is personal preference. I, like yourself, will be sticking with the original DS.