After around a month since sending off my N900 for repair, and being given an E7, I finally have a replacement N900. It is *so* good to have it back!
It took one massive email to Nokia, effectively sent three times to Customer Support, and a nudge email after they called and said they'd sort it. UPS did the trade at my office on Wednesday.
The N900 replacement is an option I was told, but it needs managerial approval (I'm in the UK) and the problem they have is the N900s are running out. The default option is to replace with the E7.
I asked both Nokia reps on the phone about replacing with the N9. I got the distinct impression that talk of the N9 is prohibited in the UK :-)
However, I'm really delighted to have the N900 back - I'd missed it so much. I'm going to be ultra careful with that USB connector now!!