Completely playing devils advocate here but by having it on the bottom isint it right there on the same plane of the main board therefore making it easier to manufacture by simply having smt components vs having manual wires routed elsewhere/long plastic stick power button running the entire height of the machine internally. Its may be lazy but could it also not be efficient?

Imo the way to resolve probably like 80% of the complaints for this would be just have the edge of the machine sit just high enough above whatever surface it is on by way of feet or a thicker base. Just enough be able to put a finger under there and press it. Not very unlike monitors and TVs have done for ages at this point