Bigger is better. Yes?

that kinda defeats the purpose of the 2DS, no?

Nah.

I'm still thinking a 2DS is fine as is for what its purpose is intended. You want XL, go for the 3DS design as its clamshell makes that size a better option.

However, I think its entirely possible Nintendo may step up to a wikipad type of device in the future.

I have a 2DS XL. It's called a 3DS XL with the slider turned off at all times.

To buy for my father, yes. He is always admiring my 3DS, but I know he would never use the 3D slider, as he doesn't care for 3D anything. So the 2DS is a perfect purchase since I wouldn't be paying extra for a feature he wouldn't use anyway. I think that the XL screen would be even better for him. And portability wouldn't be an issue, because I don't think he would carry it around outside the house the way I do with my 3DS XL.

Would I want one? No, if I buy another 3DS it will be the 3DS XL because even though I almost never use the 3D feature the ability to close the screen and the feel of the 3DS XL are very nice in my opinion.

While I don't think the 2DS is overly large (have you actually seen a video of someone holding it, looks pretty well sized imo) if they did XL sized screen(s) I think that would make it overly large - then again I thought that about the 3DS XL and Wii U gamepad until I actually held them.

On a related note I may end up buy 1 or a few of these 2DSs, but not for me - my sister has 3 kids and this would be perfect for them (maybe next christmas or the next, they are still 3-4-5 right now) hopefully they'll be like $100 then and Pokemon Radiant Ruby & Shimmering Saphire or something will be coming out! :)