I have owned 5 different Suunto computers (both wrist and console), a simple "puck" style and a Zeagle N2iTion (my current computer). They all had one thing in common... every season I would have to sit down with the computer and manual for a few hours to re-learn the menus and button functions. Even after that I would still forget how to call up some menus or functions while on a dive. I am a professional photographer. I work with computers and pro digital cameras daily, so I am used to complicated menu interfaces. But if you don"t work with them daily it is easy to forget the various menus and commands.
I agree with RonR on the role the interface plays in using a dive computer. The Cobalt will be my next computer. It is the only unit that I have ever been able to pickup (in the store) and operate without ever looking at the manual. The menu is simple to follow, the display is well organized, easy to read, and it is easy to operate. I would like a wrist unit but it's not a deal breaker for me. If they did reduce the size of the display to fit a wrist mount I think the Cobalt would lose some of it's readablility. I had a Cobra some years ago and hose mounted AI was fine, until I bought a Suunto Stinger that I could also wear as a wrist watch. The purchase of the N2iTion a few years ago was due to the need for a larger display for aging eyes. I can read the Cobalt display without my glasses or mask Optix.
My plan is to use the Cobalt as an AI clipped to my left waist D ring. I would also wear my Suunto compass on my left wrist and the N2iTion on my right wrist as backups. I have two HP ports available on my first stage so I may leave my SPG attached to one (again as a backup) and clip off the analog SPG to my right waist D ring, but I still havent decided. First I need the $$$ for the Cobalt.
