A Guide To Using Your Laptop At Starbucks

I know a lot of you like to sit down at Starbucks, drink a coffee and work on the laptop with wireless Internet access. So here's an article I wrote recently about this whole business of 'cafe computing' as I like to call it. Thought it'd make for an interesting topic.


A Guide To Using Your Laptop At Starbucks

If you're like me, you might simply love sitting down at Starbucks, getting a nice cup of coffee, and work on your laptop. In fact, studies have shown that many of us are becoming 'urban nomads' - going to the nearest Starbucks or cafe - laptop in hand - to sit down and work or study.

This article is a short guide to 'cafe computing' - read on and find out how to make the best use of your laptop the next time you're in Starbucks sipping that coffee.

1. Where To Sit?
Imagine that you have your laptop in hand, and just stepped into your friendly neighborhood Starbucks cafe. What's the first thing you do? Well, look for a seat, of course. And believe it or not, there are tips for looking for a seat when you want to settle down to using your laptop in a cafe.

I'd say try to look for a table that is tucked always in a corner - away from the counter, and away from bright windows. That way, you can work on your laptop without people peering at your screen, or having sunlight giving you heat and glare.

Also, an important thing is to find a seat near a power socket. That way, you can charge your laptop if it runs out of juice. If necessary, ask the staff it is ok to use the power socket to charge your laptop (I usually don't ask though).

2. Buy Something Please
Now, now it's very rude to just plonk yourself down in a seat and just start working or surfing on your laptop. Remember, this is Starbucks and its a cafe business. People need to earn money. So be nice and go over to the counter and buy a coffee, a biscotti or some other snack. Please don't just sit there, use your laptop and not order anything. You will get disapproving looks very soon - and yes, especially from me.

3. Know About Safety
Now, just because this is the Starbucks you know and love, does not mean it is safe to just leave your laptop alone and go someplace else. After all, this is still a public place and there are can be crooks around. So remember to secure your laptop if you need to step away, or ask the barista to look after it for you for a while (they'll do it if you ask nicely).

Another point regarding safety - please, please don't place your Americano or Frappucino neat your laptop keyboard! One mistake or one bump and you will have one very wet - and very inoperable - laptop.

4. Pack A Mouse
This tip is quite obvious and applies whether you are at a cafe or not. Always bring along an external mouse if you plan to work at Starbucks for a long time. If you don't have a mouse and you're using the touchpad or trackball on your laptop - you will soon end up with cramped fingers.

5. Stretch From Time to Time
It's enticing to just sit there and not move, pounding away at the keyboard while you enjoy your cuppa coffee. However, it makes good sense to just get up and stretch from time to time. You don't want your legs to cramp and you need to loosen those muscles regularly.

Ok, I hope the above has shown you how you can use your laptop properly at Starbucks. The next time you're in Starbucks, apply the above tips and I'm sure you'll enjoy the 'cafe computing' experience a whole lot more.

 

Nice guide... some interesting and useful tips here.

 

Thanks shoelace_510,

I love working on my laptop in Starbucks, hence this guide.

 

Useful guide - thanks for sharing. Wonder if it applies to wi-fi enabled McD's?

 

Sure it does. I sometimes find seats at MacDonald's too. However, I find that the 'crowd' in MacDonald's tends to be more rowdy, hence I prefer Starbucks.

 

hahah well said.

 

If I had to choose a place it would be the bookstore. Borders or something. Starbucks charges too much for coffee

Plus so many awesome things to do/find/read in the book store and you can transfer that data to your computer

Ultimately the "best" solution is to get mobile broadbad, so anywhere and everywhere can be your wifi hotspot.

 

Doesn't starbucks charge for internet?

 

Yes its in the coffee $7 = $2 for coffee + $5 for internet.

 

If you have a WiFi account with a telco then its no problem.

 

Well detailed. I am impressed. Good job!

D3158

 

I like the library, and ours here in town (all of them in fact) have free wifi! How much do you have to pay to use the ones Mc Donald's have? I don't know that it would be worth it in the end. One thing I thought that the guide could have used was advice on connecting to the wifi network, or is that all automated? I don't have a lappy yet so I don't know...But overall really nice guide!

 

Connecting to wireless networks is really easy.

You have a little icon in your system tray (lower right part of your screen) and you double click to see which networks your computer can see. You double click on the one you want to connect to, put in a password if you need to and you're done!

Hope this helps...

 

Nice guide! I can't believe people actually set drinks down next to their laptop.... You would think that they would at least set it on a lower level or something.

 

Great guide!!

 

Nice guide!

Also, bit of a tip, if you don't want to purchase anything but want to use the internet, park close to the restaurant/coffee shop and sit in your car to work, you still get a good signal for free, and you avoid the angry glare of gary_hendricks for not purchasing anything.

 

Lmao i used to do that, until of course a Starbucks moved right next to where i work.