OK I'll try again as the spell checker just deleted the first try at this message. There are clearly now two types of power cords. The one with the transformer plugging directly into the wall, the wall-wart, takes up space in a plug or power bar that often overlaps the next sockets thereby wasting a lot of plug in space. By having a cord on either side of the transformer box, the plug takes less space and is therefore preferable in a modern setting where we have so many different things to be plugged in at one location. This is a real advantage.
