Why Are Macs So Common In Coffee Shops?

[Goona]

Every coffee shop I go to is full of Macs, are Mac users heavy drinkers of coffee. You would think Macs were the majority considering their presence in coffee shops like Starbucks and Second Cup.

[djellison]

Two points :
Observational bias - you will notice them because you want to, and with that damn glowing apple logo, they're hard to miss.

Socio-economics - Mac's are expensive, so successful people, the sorts of people who have a lot of cash and need to work on the go, are more likely to have them, and are also the type who'll pay $X for a skinny latte with a double shot of espresso.

[rowsdower]

Maybe people who buy them want to show them off. Maybe they appeal to the type of people who frequent coffee shops. Observational bias is also a good bet.

[BongoBanger]

Because everyone else is working?

[MacBoobsPro]

Because PCs are embarrassing? :p

[LethalWolfe]

Trendy looking people who do the trendy thing of hanging out at coffee shops want a trendy looking computer?


Lethal

[MTI]

Along with Apple products, you may also notice the over abundance of A&F or Hollister apparel on the younger customers . . . ;)

[Alvi]

Because they're sexy and usually sexy people are in coffee shops :)

[synth3tik]

a freelance writer, designer, musician is going to likely be working at least in part at coffee shops and the like. An IT tech or UNIX admin are far more likely to have offices.

I frequent a coffee shop where a lot of us are freelance, whether by choice or not. The Web guys are using macs, the writers are using macs, the dude who works for Activision has a mac, I have a mac. My buddy that does web stats and my buddy that does marketing use their PCs.

Of course there is also the fad factor.

[kdarling]

Who knows, but I've always (tongue in cheek) said it was clear that the first iPhone was designed by Apple engineers who spent all their time in such places:

1) No 3G. Instead, a reliance on having ubiquitous free WiFi.
2) A touchscreen unusable outside in the cold with gloves on.
3) Glass screen and pretty, but easily scratchable body.

In other words, a California style phone. ;)

Phones designed by people in the cold, mean Northeast would come out more rugged, usable with gloves, and wouldn't rely on anything "free" being available. lol

[Surely]

Maybe people who buy them want to show them off. Maybe they appeal to the type of people who frequent coffee shops. Observational bias is also a good bet.

I feel like going to Starbucks for a few hours today to do a little work and use my free 2 hours of wifi. I don't feel like staying home and working all day. Should I cover up my MBP so I'm not showing off?


Because everyone else is working?

Or some of us have the freedom to work where we please?

Trendy looking people who do the trendy thing of hanging out at coffee shops want a trendy looking computer?


Lethal

I guess I'm trendy then.



EDIT: I'm at Starbucks now. Lookitme showing off!!! Everyone's soooooo jealous. :D

[BongoBanger]

IOr some of us have the freedom to work where we please?

I'm sure you do. But Starbucks? Sheesh.

[miles01110]

Because everyone else is working?

haha. Took the words right out of my mouth.

[Surely]

I'm sure you do. But Starbucks? Sheesh.

Sheesh?

I'm sitting here, chilled out, enjoying my Grande Vanilla Latte, listening to the HockeyCentral at Noon podcast, watching the college girls file in and out, talking with some friends that are also here, and getting some decent work done.:D

Sounds good to me.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Because everyone else is working?

I'm actually going to bet on this. People who bring their Macs to coffee shops are people who are working on a hard philosophy class paper, working on their manuscript, or just checking Facebook in public. Everyone else is doing something relevant.

[BongoBanger]

Sheesh?

I'm sitting here, chilled out, enjoying my Grande Vanilla Latte, listening to the HockeyCentral at Noon podcast, watching the college girls file in and out, talking with some friends that are also here, and getting some decent work done.:D

Sounds good to me.

Fair play. Not going to argue with that!

[Bennieboy©]

people that use Mac's are making a statement, sitting in a coffee shop with your mac on display makes a bigger statement ;)

[Jon-Luke]

Maybe it's because Mac laptop batteries actually last long enough to do some work... That was my biggest complaint about my old Sony Viao after about 6 months of use the battery life was only about 45mins. 1 hour 15mins on a good day when I wasn't using my wifi and the Bluetooth was off... Not much use in a coffee shop.

But I have noticed more use of netbooks in coffee shops. But I would agree that there seem to be more Macs in coffee shops than any other brand!

[GimmeSlack12]

Mac users like coffee. Pretty simple really.

[tofagerl]

OK, so having a mac is bad. Having coffee outside of your own home is bad. And working while drinking coffee is double bad?

[TuffLuffJimmy]

OK, so having a mac is bad. Having coffee outside of your own home is bad. And working while drinking coffee is double bad?

It does fit the show-offy stereotype of Mac users. I wouldn't take my computer with me to a coffee shop in a million years. There's no point, unless you want to look like you're working in one of the most distracting places, meaning you're not actually doing anything that couldn't be done in five minutes elsewhere.

[yycguy]

It does fit the show-offy stereotype of Mac users. I wouldn't take my computer with me to a coffee shop in a million years. There's no point, unless you want to look like you're working in one of the most distracting places, meaning you're not actually doing anything that couldn't be done in five minutes elsewhere.

I have an macbook, like starbucks, wear A&F AND I am styling. What pisses me off about all these mac users in starbucks is they take up a table for 4 for 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 hours!!!

P.s. did I say that I am styling!!!

[Consultant]

Because with Macs, unlike pcs, you don't have to wait 5 minutes for the computer to be usable, cancel out of virus scan updates, or wait 5 minutes to shut down.

Plus the long battery life.

It does fit the show-offy stereotype of Mac users. I wouldn't take my computer with me to a coffee shop in a million years. There's no point, unless you want to look like you're working in one of the most distracting places, meaning you're not actually doing anything that couldn't be done in five minutes elsewhere.

So anyone with a computer outside of their house is a "show off"?

FYI, I've seen computers at McDonald. They are PCs.

[roadbloc]

My personal experience is that Mac's are for the more artistic than academic people (in terms of people's jobs), and I've a had several meetings about radio shows, producing and record deals in coffee shops. I don't pay the outrageous ££ they charge for a simple cuppa tho.

The academic workers, have meetings in business rooms and increasingly online.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

So anyone with a computer outside of their house is a "show off"?

FYI, I've seen computers at McDonald. They are PCs.

quoted to make a point.

Kool kids go to sterbux, rite? Loosers go to Mcdanlds.

Thanks for supporting my point. :D

[Eidorian]

I haven't seen a Mac in Starbucks in ages.

[Surely]

It does fit the show-offy stereotype of Mac users. I wouldn't take my computer with me to a coffee shop in a million years. There's no point, unless you want to look like you're working in one of the most distracting places, meaning you're not actually doing anything that couldn't be done in five minutes elsewhere.

Working in a coffee shop might be distracting for you, but I am able to focus and get my work done. The background noise and hub-bub helps me focus.

Everybody's different.........

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Working in a coffee shop might be distracting for you, but I am able to focus and get my work done. The background noise and hub-bub helps me focus.

Everybody's different.........

This is one of the reasons as why Mac users are seen as so pretentious. It's as if they need to be seen in public while working. As if they need validation from the general public.

[tofagerl]

OK, remember I am Norwegian, and have never been in a Starbucks, but aren't they really just McDonalds with coffee instead of burgers?
In Norway the coffee shops are full of small tables, sofas and comfy chairs, and they all have wi-fi for free in order to make you stay longer and maybe order some food... And macs are indeed common!
If Starbucks is like McD, I agree that it's odd that people stay there. If it's like our coffee shops, then the reason is that people like the kind of coffee you can't make at home, and it doesn't really cost that much to spend a few hours drinking three cups while you work.

[Chundles]

OK, remember I am Norwegian, and have never been in a Starbucks, but aren't they really just McDonalds with coffee instead of burgers?
In Norway the coffee shops are full of small tables, sofas and comfy chairs, and they all have wi-fi for free in order to make you stay longer and maybe order some food... And macs are indeed common!
If Starbucks is like McD, I agree that it's odd that people stay there. If it's like our coffee shops, then the reason is that people like the kind of coffee you can't make at home, and it doesn't really cost that much to spend a few hours drinking three cups while you work.

Nah, a lot of Starbucks in the States (and here, though I think there's only 1 or two in NSW) have the comfy couches and lounges and stuff.

[Surely]

This is one of the reasons as why Mac users are seen as so pretentious. It's as if they need to be seen in public while working. As if they need validation from the general public.

That's ridiculous.

Is that what you're getting out of my posts?

[TuffLuffJimmy]

That's ridiculous.

Is that what you're getting out of my posts?

My generalizations are not personally directed. I don't know you. But that is indeed how I feel about people bringing laptops to do work in public places.

[Surely]

My generalizations are not personally directed. I don't know you. But that is indeed how I feel about people bringing laptops to do work in public places.

So because I choose to get out of the house every once in a while and do some work on my MBP at my local Starbucks, I'm pretentious and a show-off? I know that you aren't personally directing your generalizations at me, but clearly I fall within them.


What exactly are you basing your generalizations on? How do you know what the intentions of Mac-users in coffee shops are? Maybe people just like getting out of the office/house for a couple of hours......

[TuffLuffJimmy]

So because I choose to get out of the house every once in a while and do some work on my MBP at my local Starbucks, I'm pretentious and a show-off? I know that you aren't personally directing your generalizations at me, but clearly I fall within them.


What exactly are you basing your generalizations on? How do you know what the intentions of Mac-users in coffee shops are? Maybe people just like getting out of the office/house for a couple of hours......

Why do you need my validation so much? If you disagree with my opinion you can ignore me.

[KingYaba]

People still go to Starbucks? :confused: What a ripoff. I guess they don't mind since they bought Apple. ;)

[Surely]

Why do you need my validation so much? If you disagree with my opinion you can ignore me.

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that the point of discussion forums were to discuss things. If everyone ignored everyone's opinion that differed from their own, what exactly would go on around here?:confused:

Yeah. I need your validation. That's it. Please give it to me.:rolleyes:

I'm simply annoyed by your unfair, blanket generalization.

Why do you think so little of people who work on laptops in coffee shops? How dare they utilize the portability feature of their laptop!:eek:

[Prom1]

Maybe people who buy them want to show them off. Maybe they appeal to the type of people who frequent coffee shops. Observational bias is also a good bet.

Bingo. Also helps that Apple started this trendy thing years ago with showing ads of MacBooks used by students at Starbucks ... the signature cup with the brown heat cover with the label turned.

Trendy looking people who do the trendy thing of hanging out at coffee shops want a trendy looking computer?
Lethal

Most likely. It Sure helps that Starbucks & Apple had an agreement to have free wifi for iPod/Mac users with the music selection by Starbucks brass authorized to play in Starbucks to be available for purchase by iPod users.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that the point of discussion forums were to discuss things. If everyone ignored everyone's opinion that differed from their own, what exactly would go on around here?:confused:

Yeah. I need your validation. That's it. Please give it to me.:rolleyes:

I'm simply annoyed by your unfair, blanket generalization.

Why do you think so little of people who work on laptops in coffee shops? How dare they utilize the portability feature of their laptop!:eek:

Will you explain to me why a Mac user would want to do work in a coffee shop?

[ziggyonice]

Maybe it's because Mac laptop batteries actually last long enough to do some work...

It does fit the show-offy stereotype of Mac users.

Both of these pretty much sum it up. In general, Mac users (and not just fanboys, either) like showing off their Mac. They like being able to show off that it's a better computer. And, because their computers actually have a battery that lasts long enough to do some work, it's just convenient.

People bring computers to coffee shops all the time — but I think more PC users would bring their machines if (a) the batteries lasted longer, (b) if their computers were fast enough to load while they were there, and (c) if they were "proud" of their computer.

I can say that mine fits all of those categories. And I'm proud of my computer. So I'm going to take it with me to wherever's convenient that I can sit down and do what I need while enjoying a nice, hot beverage.

P.S. I hate coffee. :)

[Surely]

Most likely. It Sure helps that Starbucks & Apple had an agreement to have free wifi for iPod/Mac users with the music selection by Starbucks brass authorized to play in Starbucks to be available for purchase by iPod users.

The free wifi that you are referring to is only for iPhone users who are with AT&T (in the US). It is not for Mac or iPod users.

However for everyone else (Mac and PC users), in order to use the daily 2 hours of free wifi at that is provided by Starbucks, you have to have an active (used within the past 30 days) Starbucks gift card.

Will you explain to me why a Mac user would want to do work in a coffee shop?

Um...... why not? It's a comfortable environment, there is free wifi, and perhaps that Mac user enjoys a fresh espresso-based drink.

What an odd question.


Some people work from home. Sometimes it's refreshing to be in public for a few hours during the day.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Um...... why not? It's a comfortable environment, there is free wifi, and perhaps that Mac user enjoys a fresh espresso-based drink.

What an odd question.


Some people work from home. Sometimes it's refreshing to be in public for a few hours during the day.

My point is it's a distracting environment. If you're serious about getting work done you won't go into a place where you're temped to talk to other people, people watch, get up and grab coffee, etc. An office in solitude is a much better work environment. The only reason to take your giant glowing apple endowed eye catching computer is to make a statement, so people can see what you're worth. It's like wearing Prada or Comme des Garçons.

[Chundles]

My point is it's a distracting environment. If you're serious about getting work done you won't go into a place where you're temped to talk to other people, people watch, get up and grab coffee, etc. An office in solitude is a much better work environment. The only reason to take your giant glowing apple endowed eye catching computer is to make a statement, so people can see what you're worth. It's like wearing Prada or Comme des Garçons.

Maybe for some people, but I find a quiet, sterile office the WORST place to get anything done.

I used to go to cafés to study at Uni because I found I could really focus on the task at hand when I was surrounded by the goings on of life.

[Surely]

My point is it's a distracting environment. If you're serious about getting work done you won't go into a place where you're temped to talk to other people, people watch, get up and grab coffee, etc. An office in solitude is a much better work environment. The only reason to take your giant glowing apple endowed eye catching computer is to make a statement, so people can see what you're worth. It's like wearing Prada or Comme des Garçons.

FOR YOU.

What is good for you is not necessarily good for everyone else.

I can concentrate in a coffee shop. I get good work done in an environment like that. I find that, sometimes, I work even more efficiently at a coffee shop than at home/in an office.

I agree with Chundles above, and I stated this in a prior post, see:
Working in a coffee shop might be distracting for you, but I am able to focus and get my work done. The background noise and hub-bub helps me focus.

Everybody's different.........

This is why generalizations aren't the best way to think.

[YanniDepp]

I do my most productive web development in a coffee shop. It feels more focussed than working at home.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

you two seem to not understand the difference between distracting and distractible. A coffee shop is busy. Fact. An office is your own workspace. Very little drama is likely to occur in an office, but a coffee shop has people pouring in and out. A coffee shop is a lot more likely to have a few obnoxious people walk in, or even a breeze roll by, or you might bump into someone you know, etc.

Fact is it's not a good work environment. Not just for me personally but for a multitude of people. Maybe in this constant noise radio/television/facebook/myspace/youtube world we live in people don't know how to handle themselves without some kind of "noise" in their life.

There was a time before music on demand, or the ability to carry your video collection with you.

[IBradMac]

Coffee shops? :p lol, no Starbucks near me. :D

I show mine off at the Bob Evans. You should see the stares from the old folk. :cool:

[Little HZ]

Will you explain to me why a Mac user would want to do work in a coffee shop?

For this Mac user, it is because I am self-employed and work out of a home office--alone. So, 1) sometimes it is nice to get out into a place where there are other people--just to hear the background noise of voices; and 2) often I have several appointments outside the house that end up leaving me an hour or so of spare time between meetings. It's easier and burns less gas to find a good coffee shop and get some work done than to drive home and then back out again.

It never occurred to me that someone would think I was showing off my computer. But I'm not going to buy a PC just so I can work outside the home without looking "pretentious." :rolleyes:

PS I live in a town with many excellent locally owned coffee shops, so I never go to Starbucks ... ;)

PPS I formed my adult work habits in newsrooms, so I am well-used to getting serious work done in noisy, distracting environments. Sometimes the home office is just TOO quiet!

[Surely]

you two seem to not understand the difference between distracting and distractible. A coffee shop is busy. Fact. An office is your own workspace. Very little drama is likely to occur in an office, but a coffee shop has people pouring in and out. A coffee shop is a lot more likely to have a few obnoxious people walk in, or even a breeze roll by, or you might bump into someone you know, etc.

Fact is it's not a good work environment. Not just for me personally but for a multitude of people. Maybe in this constant noise radio/television/facebook/myspace/youtube world we live in people don't know how to handle themselves without some kind of "noise" in their life.

There was a time before music on demand, or the ability to carry your video collection with you.

Lol

And you don't seem to understand this statement:

What is good for you is not necessarily good for everyone else.

An analogy:
Some people can't stand the taste of tomatoes. Some people love the taste. According to your reasoning, if you didn't like the taste of tomatoes, it would be a fact that tomatoes taste bad.


Your belief that coffee shops aren't good working environments is not a fact. It is your opinion.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Lol

And you don't seem to understand this statement:



An analogy:
Some people can't stand the taste of tomatoes. Some people love the taste. According to your reasoning, if you didn't like the taste of tomatoes, it would be a fact that tomatoes taste bad.

It's not like I go out of my way to show off the kinds of tomato I buy.
PS I live in a town with many excellent locally owned coffee shops, so I never go to Starbucks ... ;)

but you must understand where I'm coming from. How it can be seen as pretentious. Pretentious in the way of only going to locally owned.... oh never mind. :D

[Surely]

It's not like I go out of my way to show off the kinds of tomato I buy.


Again, ridiculous. You're funny.

So...... you've never packed a lunch and ate in public before?


Why did you cut off and not respond to the last sentence of my last comment? Cherry Tomato-picking, perhaps......

[mac2x]

I use my Mac in the school library between classes...does that make me an extroverted show-off? :rolleyes: Frankly, I don't give a flying **** what other people think of my computer.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

I use my Mac in the school library between classes...does that make me an extroverted show-off? :rolleyes: Frankly, I don't give a flying **** what other people think of my computer.

well... you do have your computer set up in your signature, so obviously you must care if people see what you're rolling with.

[mac2x]

well... you do have your computer set up in your signature, so obviously you must care if people see what you're rolling with.

I mean people in public places...as for the sig line it's mainly so I don't have to mention my setup if I have a question here. :)

[roadbloc]

Good grief.... you guys continued a pointless, but heated debate while I slept. Who cares about mac users in starbucks... I've stated why I go to coffee shops with my mac, and there are a few other reasons floating around in this thread somewhere. Who could care less? It's just an expensive computer and coffee, why on earth would people go out of their working day, just to show off?

Now stop this pointless discussion before I tell your mothers. ;)

[nullx86]

everytime I go to starbucks, I see about 7 or so MBPs and like 3 PCs. Whats funny is when I stop and crack my Dell mini 9 with OSX on it :p I get so many odd looks with that, its funny... especially when sitting right next to a Mac user :D

[instaxgirl]

I was early to meet a friend and dived into a Starbucks for 20 minutes a few days ago. There were about 10 macs, a few iPhones and of course the ubiquitous iPod between the 20 customers. I felt like I should whip out my iPhone to show that I belonged or something.

I've taken my mac to coffee shops before. The first few times were when the bathroom floor was getting ripped up. A quiet corner in a coffee shop was A LOT more productive.

I think the only other time's been to show some friends some photos and I just happened to have my laptop then.

The only reason to take your giant glowing apple endowed eye catching computer is to make a statement, so people can see what you're worth. It's like wearing Prada or Comme des Garçons.

Does it count if your mac is old and most of the stares you're getting is because your "macbook" doesn't look quite right? :p

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Does it count if your mac is old and most of the stares you're getting is because your "macbook" doesn't look quite right? :p

As long as you're not taking it there to show off. Sounds more like you're taking it because it's your computer and you enjoy using it.

[garybUK]

Sounds like a very American thing to do, to me. Starbucks is a horrible place and it raises issues around data security, theft etc. etc.

I disagree with the point about the batteries, i'm on my 3rd Macbook Pro laptop battery in 2 years and thats now dead, the things are a joke.

[MrChurchyard]

you two seem to not understand the difference between distracting and distractible. A coffee shop is busy. Fact. An office is your own workspace. Very little drama is likely to occur in an office, but a coffee shop has people pouring in and out. A coffee shop is a lot more likely to have a few obnoxious people walk in, or even a breeze roll by, or you might bump into someone you know, etc.

Personally, I prefer switching workplaces often and go to different places, for instance cafés. There is research showing how people after a while tend to be less productive in their office workspace because they don't feel they are there to get work done, but just to be there.

I also don't know what kind of office you work in (personal home office?), but all the offices I've ever worked in were far busier than any coffee shop. Phones ringing, colleagues chatting, coming to your desk to point out some tedious point they just sent you an email about, printers, faxes, clocks, alarms etc.

It's not about background busyness. Our brain has evolved to learn to drown out unimportant things. That is why I can pretty much ignore interruptions at a coffee shop, in an office most often I cannot because I am obliged to react.

Personally, I work well where I can relax enough to focus on the task at hand. Whether that is more the case in an office or a coffee shop... Depends, I guess.

I can see your point of the willingness to show off your Mac in a trendy public place, there certainly is some Veblen effect/conspicuous consumption going on. But I don't see why you need to pretend that you cannot get work done efficiently at a coffee shop, because there are a lot of professionals who disprove that on a daily basis.

[GroundLoop]

Who cares about Starbucks...if you want to show off your computer while taking up a table for hours on end...Panera Bread is the place to be...;)

Hickman

[YMark]

Your belief that coffee shops aren't good working environments is not a fact. It is your opinion.

You two are arguing about the wrong thing. What you should be debating is the definition of "work".

Some work can be done in a coffee shop. Like grading true/false exams. Some work can't be done effectively in a coffee shop (i.e. engineering). However, I'll bet some architecture design ideas could pop up in a coffee shop.

[Surely]

Good grief.... you guys continued a pointless, but heated debate while I slept. Who cares about mac users in starbucks... I've stated why I go to coffee shops with my mac, and there are a few other reasons floating around in this thread somewhere. Who could care less? It's just an expensive computer and coffee, why on earth would people go out of their working day, just to show off?

Now stop this pointless discussion before I tell your mothers. ;)

I didn't know that you were the boss of the thread. Why didn't you lock the thread if you didn't want anyone else talking about this?

Of all the discussions in these forums...... this is the one you single out as being pointless?


You two are arguing about the wrong thing. What you should be debating is the definition of "work".

Some work can be done in a coffee shop. Like grading true/false exams. Some work can't be done effectively in a coffee shop (i.e. engineering). However, I'll bet some architecture design ideas could pop up in a coffee shop.

I know engineers that can, and have, worked efficiently in a coffee shop. I know doctors and lawyers that get great work done in coffee shops. They enjoy getting out of the office for a change of scenery.

I've successfully worked on complex accounting problems in coffee shops.

I think it's really all about the individual- some people can concentrate well and work efficiently anywhere and some can't. Obviously, there is a whole spectrum of people in between those two extremes. It's not about the definition of 'work'.

Also.... someone who thinks that a workplace isn't a distracting place to work in has never worked in that kind of environment before.

[Terminal.app]

I actually like Starbucks. Pumpkin-spice lattes ftw!

Not ever had a reason to bring my computer in with me, though.

everytime I go to starbucks, I see about 7 or so MBPs and like 3 PCs. Whats funny is when I stop and crack my Dell mini 9 with OSX on it :p I get so many odd looks with that, its funny... especially when sitting right next to a Mac user :D

And I lol'd. :D

[Adobe75]

I should break out my PowerBook G3 Pismo and take it to a coffee shop. Be all like, "yeah, I was totally ahead of this Apple fad - by 6 years!"

Even if my glowing Apple logo is upside-down! At least it has built-in Wifi.

I bet I'd get a few strange looks.

To take this a step further - does anyone know of the earliest Apple laptop that could now be used to access the web via WiFi?

My guess would be something like a PowerBook 520c with a PCMCIA card cage and OS 8.1 compatible Wifi card.

Take that baby into a coffee shop! Whooo!

[Forsaken]

Mac users like coffee. Pretty simple really.
I personally can't stand it.

And as an addition to what Jimmy said, I wouldn't be caught dead and gagged bringing my laptop to almost anyplace outside of my house.

[63dot]

Every coffee shop I go to is full of Macs, are Mac users heavy drinkers of coffee. You would think Macs were the majority considering their presence in coffee shops like Starbucks and Second Cup.

As a Mac user and owner of an iBook, I definitely notice Macs out there in coffee shops, more in Starbucks than anywhere else. They seem to be around half of the laptops I see.

When I add in hotspots besides coffee shops, then that percentage becomes very small, maybe less than a quarter of all laptops.

What I have seen more and more in coffee shops is the presence of netbooks. This trend grows each time I go out in public and I wouldn't be surprised if Apple came up with a very small footprint netbook of their own.

[Abstract]

but you must understand where I'm coming from. How it can be seen as pretentious. Pretentious in the way of only going to locally owned.... oh never mind. :D

He's the exception. Most Mac users go to Starbucks rather than a smaller coffee shop because they want to work, but also want to be seen. ;) Why go out and get better coffee from a small shop if nobody is there to see me, right? ;)

And yes, I'm a Mac user who brings his laptop to Starbucks on occasion. I go to Starbucks, but also a locally owned place down the street that roasts their own beans and exists mainly to sell coffee beans and equipment.

I enjoy working in areas where other people are making background noise. I like "noisy" environments, and with my earphones in my ear (with no music on!??!?) to make the voices really non-distinctive. I also have ADD, but for some reason, I either need to have Frank Sinatra or She & Him music playing in the background, or smeared out background chatter.

However, I actually agree with you that many Mac users just want to "be seen". Many of them aren't simply in a demographic that has enough money for a coffee, or a demographic that enjoys coffee more, or one that has better hardware (say battery life). Let's call a spade a spade.

[*LTD*]

Because stylish, intelligent people choose Macs. Look at the demographic.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Because stylish, intelligent people choose Macs. Look at the demographic.

And that's what *many* people who take their Macs into coffee shops want you to see. "Look at me! I'm stylish and intelligent, because of my computer."

It doesn't matter what computer it is. Some smart people own PCs and some very dumb people own Macs.

[*LTD*]

And that's what *many* people who take their Macs into coffee shops want you to see. "Look at me! I'm stylish and intelligent, because of my computer."

It doesn't matter what computer it is. Some smart people own PCs and some very dumb people own Macs.

It's a matter of taste. Some have it, some don't. Some choices are tasteful by general standards, others are not. It's like those who would rather own a couple of nice things than a whole roomful of crap. Both are consumerist-materialist examples, but one has more refined tastes, the other does not. And really, there are others that just don't care.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

It's a matter of taste. Some have it, some don't. Some choices are tasteful by general standards, others are not. It's like those who would rather own a couple of nice things than a whole roomful of crap. Both are consumerist-materialist examples, but one has more refined tastes, the other does not. And really, there are others that just don't care.

So anyone with taste buys a Mac and those without taste buy PCs?

puh-leez :rolleyes:

[roadbloc]

So anyone with taste buys a Mac and those without taste buy PCs?

puh-leez :rolleyes:

Puh-leez, this argument you guys are having is so juvenile.

OP: Next time you see someone in Starbucks with a Mac, ask them why they are there and why they use a Mac.

TuffLuffJimmy & *LTD*: Grow up. Who cares why Mac users choose Starbucks. If you think they are showing off, think that. I can't think of anyone who would have time to spend hours in Starbucks, just showing off their Macintosh Laptops. It's nothing to do with taste. Its probably to do with the durability of Mac Pro's... even with just a Macbook, I take it out places more than my old Compaq Presario, simply because it seems more durable.

Now go get a life.

[*LTD*]

Puh-leez, this argument you guys are having is so juvenile.

OP: Next time you see someone in Starbucks with a Mac, ask them why they are there and why they use a Mac.

TuffLuffJimmy & *LTD*: Grow up. Who cares why Mac users choose Starbucks. If you think they are showing off, think that. I can't think of anyone who would have time to spend hours in Starbucks, just showing off their Macintosh Laptops. It's nothing to do with taste. Its probably to do with the durability of Mac Pro's... even with just a Macbook, I take it out places more than my old Compaq Presario, simply because it seems more durable.

Now go get a life.

It's a perfectly valid social inquiry. How do consumers view objects? Based on what measures? can "taste" be quantified or qualified somehow? Why do some people have "taste" and others do not? What determines all this? Is there really a connection with education, or income level, or social environment? Why a coffee shop in particular? And what "kind" of coffee shop?

It's an interesting topic for discussion. Just don't take it personally. Don't let your social and moral roadblocs prevent you from discussing such issues.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

<snip>

It's just the internet, man. We're just having a conversation.

[Blinkwing]

<snip>

What pisses me off about all these mac users in starbucks is they take up a table for 4 for 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 hours!!!

<snip>

This is why I (and most of my friends) don't bother going to Starbucks. Because we know that we can't get a decent sofa (and not one of the old wooden chairs that Starbucks is phasing out) to sit down and enjoy our coffee because of the laptop people & azn divas hogging all the seats.

Even if it was a cold winter day and Starbucks was empty, we still wouldn't go to Starbucks. 7NZD for a coffee? No thanks!

I know doctors and lawyers that get great work done in coffee shops.

Oh look at that doctor in Starbucks performing surgery! :p

[Surely]

Oh look at that doctor in Starbucks performing surgery! :p

I know you're joking, but, believe me, you'd be surprised at how much paperwork doctors have to do.

[kernkraft]

Because stylish, intelligent people choose Macs. Look at the demographic.

I could bring one example to the contrary.

[SnowLeopard2008]

People don't bring MacBook/Pros into Starbucks and other coffee shops just to show off. When I go there, the people with Macs (or rather everyone in the room) are busy working. Maybe not really "working" but they aren't showing off. I don't see technophiles in there, just normal adults.

[Surely]

I bought a 'Dell' magnet to put over the glowing Apple on my MBP, just to satisfy all the posters who feel us Mac-users who go to coffee shops are showoffs.;)



-----------------
http://i45.tinypic.com/30jpw1x.jpg Grande Americano with room
http://i45.tinypic.com/30jpw1x.jpg Lemon Loaf

[entatlrg]

Sheesh?

I'm sitting here, chilled out, enjoying my Grande Vanilla Latte, listening to the HockeyCentral at Noon podcast, watching the college girls file in and out, talking with some friends that are also here, and getting some decent work done.:D

Sounds good to me.

You sound like a Canadian, with the blue maple leaf avatar and hockey central on your mac :) If so LA is a long ways away ... great time of year to be there!

[joe.pelayo]

People like to show them!

Proves the point that many Apple users are such just for show.

Thanks,
Joe.

[mac2x]

People like to show them!

Proves the point that many Apple users are such just for show.

Thanks,
Joe.

The statement "People like to show them!" proves absolutely nothing. :rolleyes:

[joe.pelayo]

The statement "People like to show them!" proves absolutely nothing. :rolleyes:
Of course it doesn't, that's not the proof. The proof is the well known fact that the OP states that they are seen the most in coffee shops.

Thanks,
Joe.

[rdowns]

A show of hands, how many of you with your computers in your sig hang out at SB? :rolleyes:

[63dot]

A show of hands, how many of you with your computers in your sig hang out at SB? :rolleyes:

I guess in the five or six years that I used laptops exclusively, it was just class, library, and home.

I was paranoid in not wanting to spill anything on it. Call me paranoid, but there are too many sad stories here. It's OK to spill coffee on your favorite white shirt/blose or pants, but not on a laptop.

I also spent a short time as a Dell/Apple/Compaq laptop warranty tech as an intern, and I saw what liquids, cold or hot, can do to a laptop.

[roadbloc]

A show of hands, how many of you with your computers in your sig hang out at SB? :rolleyes:

ooo! ooo! ooo! Me! Me! Me! Pick me! :rolleyes:

[mac2x]

Of course it doesn't, that's not the proof. The proof is the well known fact that the OP states that they are seen the most in coffee shops.

Thanks,
Joe.

Yeah, but that wasn't the implication in your above post.

[mac2x]

A show of hands, how many of you with your computers in your sig hang out at SB? :rolleyes:

Not me; I don't drink coffee anyways. ;)

[dsnort]

If you find me in a Starbucks that's a good sign it's the only place to get coffee within miles. Starbucks coffee is VILE!

[joe.pelayo]

Yeah, but that wasn't the implication in your above post.
In the second part of my former post I was referring to the OP's statement as well, sorry if it wasn't properly acknowledged.

Thanks,
Joe.

[joe.pelayo]

If you find me in a Starbucks that's a good sign it's the only place to get coffee within miles. Starbucks coffee is VILE!
Starbucks sell other things in addition to coffee, don't they?

[dsnort]

Starbucks sell other things in addition to coffee, don't they?

So does Dunkin Donuts!

[Surely]

Starbucks sell other things in addition to coffee, don't they?

Yes. I enjoy their Passion Iced Tea..... I usually order it: Venti size, easy water, 2 pumps raspberry, 1 pump classic (usually they put 6 pumps of classic in it, and it's way too sweet). Very refreshing.....

50¢ refills FTW.......

[adder7712]

I like their sandwiches (don't know if they sell those in the US).

I don't see many people at Starbucks with laptops or because the Starbucks that I've been most of the time is at an Hospital. ;)

[partyBoy]

i want to bring my imac desktop to starbucks :D

[adder7712]

i want to bring my imac desktop to starbucks :D Does it even fit the table? :p

[Stingray454]

A year ago I ordered two laptops for my company, one Vaio and a 13" macbook. The MB is just SO much better to use while travelling. It's smaller, a LOT better battery life, and above all, the trackpad is AWESOME. I'm sitting at a 27" iMac now, and I really miss the trackpad for exposé, forward/backward in brosers and so in. Yes, I know there is a magic mouse, but I don't like the ergonomics of it. I'd rather have a keyboard with integrated trackpad or something like that :)

Anyway, with all of the above the macbook is a clear winner. Haven't started the Vaio in a few month now. What a waste of money :). And ofcource, the sleek aluminium design DOES look good - I'd rather have that in public than the Vaio too.

[Consultant]

Because PCs are embarrassing? :p

Yeah, because many PC people have to do this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKEeHREK2nQ

See how one of the guys got his coffee made, and windows is still booting.

[nullx86]

Yeah, because many PC people have to do this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKEeHREK2nQ

See how one the guys got his coffee made, and windows is still booting.
lawl! I so want to do that now :D... that or take my old Dell Inspiron 2500 (it had Windows ME on it... its old as hell) and see the looks... :D

[*LTD*]

or take my old Dell Inspiron 2500 (it had Windows ME on it... its old as hell) and see the looks... :D

If you were rockin Windows ME on it, hell, I'd go see it!!

" 'scuse me, what are you lookin at? This is a classic Dell, running the most important version of Windows ever . . . the one named after our new millenium! That's quite an honour. Now if you'll excuse me I'll go stand in line to order a coffee while Windows loads."

[Ben S]

My personal experience is that Mac's are for the more artistic than academic people (in terms of people's jobs), and I've a had several meetings about radio shows, producing and record deals in coffee shops. I don't pay the outrageous ££ they charge for a simple cuppa tho.

The academic workers, have meetings in business rooms and increasingly online.

Maybe your personal experience is rather limited. I'm an IT manager and my whole shop of developers (a more academic and non-artistic group you will not find) are Mac users, for the very simple reason that Mac machines are BSD UNIX under the hood, meaning they're powerful and flexible enough to do whatever we require of them. There's also the handy fact that you can use apps like Parallels and VMWare Fusion to have a whole test suite (various flavours of Windows, UNIX/Linux and Mac) all in one machine.

It boils down to this: you can run Windows on a Mac but you can't (legally) run Mac OS X on a Windows machine.

[ccdan]

in Europe, Macs aren't popular at all in coffee shops (I have yet to see one) or otherwise...

[partyBoy]

Does it even fit the table? :p

i was kidding:p

[iDocism]

Who cares about Starbucks...if you want to show off your computer while taking up a table for hours on end...Panera Bread is the place to be...;)

Hickman

Even for iMacs (http://gizmodo.com/5429732/you-have-nothing-to-apologize-for-panera-bread-imac-man), I'm so proud of my dad but he's gone a lot.