I have had 2 pop-up and am on my second hard top... so I have a little familiarity with both. Pop-ups (PU) are not always lighter when compared to the smaller-ish hardsides (HS.) Sure, the larger slides out models will most certainly be heavier, but the pop-ups do handle a little better due to the lower profile.
The HS do keep out both heat and cold better, but I was able to stay plenty warm in the PU during my hunting trips when done properly. If by "less versatile" on the HS's you mean less able to get into places, well that is true, but how off road will you go? I took my PU into some real deep back woods areas of the Rocky Mountains and I cannot get there with my current set-up, I feel (generally) that most TC'ers here do not go really off raoding like I did... there are some who do but you need to ask yourself: will you be going deep into off road situations where the PU will make that much of a difference.
I like both and if I could I would have one of each... there is nothing like camping in the hills next to a stream and hearing the rushing waters at night or coyotes howling in the distance. Yes, the HS's keep out natures sounds.
For me I like the even simpler aspects of the HS by not needing to crank it up. I find a spot, level it, open a beer and I am camping. The HS also gives a better advantage of "stealth" camping. With a PU in the up position it sort of gives it away that someone in inside for the night. With an non-slide HS then it is more like "parking incognito."
