While Erik's specific argument about PFC's may not be a very good one, his general argument about the ever increasing need to use switchers still holds true. There is, after all, a worldwide growth of legislation on both efficiency and maximum no-load power for household appliances and other consumer electronics.

See, for example, this: http://www.powerint.com/blog/mrgr...uct-groups

Then there's also the fact that there is an apparent demand for devices to shrink and shrink, leaving very little room for the electronics package.
Not to mention 'universal input voltage'.


I challenge anyone to meet these requirements using an all linear PSU.


- Rob.