There are basically three tradeoffs in each of the orientations: angular compliance, axial load capacity, and speed.
a) Is stiffest in angular compliance, axial load capacity is the same as (b) but lower than (c), and will allow the highest high speed operation with proper preload.
b) Allows more angular misalignment, axial load capacity is same as (a) but less than (c), and would be for use on lower speeds than (a) (because angular stiffness is lower).
c) Allows the most angular misalignment, axial load capacity is double that of (a) and (b) (but would require a constant load in one direction), and would be for the lowest speed use.
The distance between the intersection points for the ball/race interfaces is a good gauge of how stiff the bearing combination will be against axial misalignment (larger distance means higher moment stiffness). The stiffer the bearing combination, the higher thespeed capacity (keep in mind though speed will still be limited by the bearing's internal tolerances). Note that the pictures show "ideal" bearings or matched bearings. For two bearing that aren't bought as a matched set, spacers would be required to achieve the proper race preloads.