I've got one of each (HP-49G+ and HP-33s) that H-P service decided they didn't need returned after sending me replacements. I think it's a good way for H-P to smooth their customers' ruffled feathers -- they'd just be tossing the faulty units anyway. (In fact, the help desk people did database look-ups on the problems I'd reported, and would have asked for return of a faulty unit had they wished to examine it, but in neither case was that an issue.)
They took the Serial #'s of the problem units, so those are presumably ineligible for future warranty claims. I was instructed to save the battery cover, recycle the batteries, and dispose of the unit. (I said, "Will do . . . ") But there are apparently no guarantees regarding this "free calculator" practice, so your mileage may vary.
Unfortunately, I'm not looking to give away my 49G+. (Sorry!)
Unfortunately also, in the 49G+ the display board is soldered firmly to the main circuit board along two edges. This will likely limit your options in "re-imagining" the overall size and layout of the beast.
I still have a partially-started project to try and fit a TI-83+SE into an HP-41 case. The previous-generation TI's -- 83+ and (I think) 89 -- have the display board linked to the main (keyboard/processor) PCB by a ribbon cable. Potentially, that could be lengthened and folded to reduce the new device's long dimension -- or enabling, possibly, a Voyager-like "landscape" layout? (But that project is sitting in a box -- I really should get back to it some day . . . )
Edited: 3 Feb 2006, 5:03 p.m.