Here is a little trick I have been using to avoid powering it off. Rather than power down in a usual manner:
go into Xterm
ssh root@localhost
reboot

Of course you will have to have Xterm and ssh loaded to do this.

I'd be interested if that works on the November purchases.

FYI, the reformat of my internal card did not work. I have tried multiple cards also. I have not experienced bad battery life like the November purchasers though.