I just don't want a "loose" laptop in the cockpit. Too many things can happen...none of them are good. I like a "hardwired", dedicated navigational CP to operate while underway.

Obviously the CP manufacturers could make their devices look like a PC. A UI is just a software approach. I think the belief is that a wide open UI would get most mariners in trouble, and then the CP customer support will have to deal with more issues than they can handle. When the UI is more directed and channeled, it makes support and integration easier. You should step back and ask what the fisherman in a T-top will want. The CP manufacturers need to address a very broad market and are much better off if they use the same general UI throughout the product line. That makes upgrading and new product integration easier. I would bet that your desire to have a CP with more of a PC UI is a very small portion of the CP marketplace. A lot of users want to take it out of the box, plug it in, and go fishing. They don't want it to work differently than their last one.

I agree they are clunky, but they are consistent. Having said that, I have three laptops aboard and a router connecting them and a printer. There are times however, that simple and direct are better. At least in my opinion.