Allocacoc PowerCube is an interesting product of power extension cable with multiple outlets. Instead of taking the usual form of a power board, this product takes the form of a cube. There are 4 variations of this product. The original PowerCube has 5 outlets and direct connection to power source. PowerCube USB has 4 outlets, direct connection and 2 USB ports rated at 2100 mA. PowerCube Extended has 5 outlets and 1.5 m extension cable. PowerCube Extended USB has 4 outlets, 2 USB ports and 1.5 m extension cable. This is the model that I purchased.
A cube has 6 sides. So when 1 side is used for the power source, theoretically we have 5 other sides for outlets. In models with USB ports, they reduce the number of outlets from 5 to 4. One side is allocated for 2 USB ports. A mounting dock is included so we can practically mount this unique power outlet in places we don’t normally have access to power board. However, this design comes with a big flaw (at least for me). We need to put the PowerCube somewhere, and the side going to be placed at the bottom is going to be non-usable. So, for my Extended USB model, I don’t actually get 4 outlets and 2 USB. I have to choose between 3 outlets and 2 USB, or 4 outlets and no USB, depending on how I position this product.
Other than losing one side, everything else is good with this nice little product. I get stylish looking power source that I practically can place it anywhere.
I’m guessing that they already knew that practically we will only be able to use five out of the six sides. By putting the slots at all sides, it means that we don’t need to bother whichever side has to be put at the bottom side.
Personally, though, I prefer they explicitly show us which one should be at the bottom.
There is no “specific” side that should be at the bottom because different bottom-side choice will result in different combination of plug angles on the usable sides. So it depends on our needs and the shape of our cables/adapters.