Nothing can be idiot-proofed, IME. If tripping over/snagging long cables is
a frequent/real problem, the equipment (laptop in the OP) needs to be placed
in a better location.. near a wall receptacle, as intended.

Pulling equipment off of tables is plain stupidity.

Extension cords running across rooms is a very bad habit, subjecting
equipment to breakage, but also a fire risk from traffic walking on cords.

Straight plugs don't pull out if the cable doesn't extend outward like wheel
spokes.. when a cable is brought around a corner of a piece of equipment and
pulled on, the plugs don't pull out, they break the cable or
jack/receptacle, which ever is weaker, or both.

In TV repair, it was common to have folks unplug a TV, then pick it up and
walk away to move it.
Broken RF input connectors on the tuners were common. I know, threaded
connector and all, but stupidity none the less.

There's no shortage of idiots fully capable, of breaking stuff which
shouldn't be broken.

An accident can happen, of course.. but after a couple of accident-induced
damage incidents, it indicates bad habits, not accidental damage (not
neccessarily what's going on with the OP's situation).

--
Cheers,
WB
..............


"N_Cook" wrote in message
...

Its a swings and roundabouts thing with elbow connectors, like on guitar
leads.
Someone trips or catches the lead and a whole cabinet falls over with
breakage or personal injury, compared to the lead just pulling out. Same
with a laptop, lead pulls out , if straight connector or almost certain
fatal breakabe with a laptop , if someone trips over an elbowed power
lead.
I would go with straight in both circumstances , just reinforce with
hotmely
glue around the connector , heatchrink around, and excess squeexed out
blue,
fared-off.