I think also the EU put in a regulation limiting idle current draw (phantom load). The linear units leak when not in use, you can feel the warmth. Switching uni

I think also the EU put in a regulation limiting idle current draw (phantom load). The linear units leak when not in use, you can feel the warmth. Switching units don't leak significantly. That forced switchers while they were still slightly more expensive. If the switcher was $0.50 more expensive, you were getting a linear even though it would cost you an extra $2/year in electricity. Consumers demand cheap initial cost in their electronics. The EU regulation just forced the upfront cost.