Very interesting review, I enjoyed the dissection and review of what most people don't even think about (wall chargers).
On a non-technical note, Apple chargers should lose simply because of how goddamned large they are. They basically eat two spots on a power strip and are easily knocked out of wall sockets because of their weight.
One thing that always annoys me when Apple products take over the world is how they are limited to American constraints. Sony Ericsson made a brilliant charger that plugged into the wall and you could just stand your phone onto. Apple would never think of that since the American plug standard is too weak to carry the same weight a Schuko can. And now everyone has to copy Apple instead of innovating...
I find the Apple chargers ideal for international use, because they have interchangeable plug heads for different countries. When I'm traveling, I only need to take the chargers that I need, and swap the plugs as required. That seems to work better than buying 3rd party plug adaptors (which don't always grip well, sometimes causing the plug to fall out of the socket).
The problem isn't for me personally - I don't own any Macs. The issue is other people who have Macs and plug them into wall outlets in public places and cover up other slots. And I've never seen anyone carrying around an extension cable.
Unless they are in the middle of a power slot, taking up another plug no matter which way they turn. The alternative is unplugging everyone's gear from the strip so the Mac user can get an end-plug.
And god forbid if there are two Macs plugged into the same strip...
On a non-technical note, Apple chargers should lose simply because of how goddamned large they are. They basically eat two spots on a power strip and are easily knocked out of wall sockets because of their weight.