NYC Coffee Shops Pull Plug on Laptops

By: Dana Chivvis
Topics: Economy

(AP Photo)

The days of leisurely coffee-sipping and Internet-surfing in your local coffee shop may soon be distant memories.

Feeling the icy grip of the economic downturn, several New York coffee shops are plugging up their electrical outlets and asking laptop users to check their Facebook pages elsewhere, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Owners are concerned that laptop users are taking up space that might otherwise be filled by higher-paying customers. While some coffee shops like Caf? Grumpy in Brooklyn and Chelsea have outlawed laptops completely, others have no-computer laws during peak hours.

"I used to be one of the abusers," said Norm Elrod, a customer at Espresso 77, "sipping a two-dollar cup of coffee in a to-go cup for hours." Now, Elrod says he is a more considerate customer, using his laptop during off hours and buying more.

The new rules can be hard on people who don't have offices. Leah Meyerhoff, an independent film director and freelancer, used to interview people in coffee shops. Now she says she's always on the hunt for a quiet place where she can get online without being judged.

Click here to read the entire story at The Wall Street Journal.

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by barbaram99 August 9, 2009 6:49 PM EDT: They don't need to ban notebook computers. What needs to be done is users need to use common sense and manners. If others need a seat to eat then log off close yer lid and give up the space gracefully. I don't use wireless on my computer. I do not use it where people eat. I rearly take it with me. There are times I do. It is heavy. I don't eat out as I would rather not hear cell phones. If they bar notebooks then they will have go tu paper. I can't see a dim display. I can turn it up but it means less battery time. Yet I take it with me and I am mindful of others. I have interest at home. I can blog at home . If I wish to write my family, make a dreeting card etc. It is on my computer. I set it to sleep so I can just shut the lid and go. People take up space read a newspaper or yakking on the cell at table. Nothing is said there and they are not eating.; Reply to this comment


by barbaram99 August 7, 2009 11:38 PM EDT: I live in Seattle. I don't see that many notebooks out. I do take my Nookbook with me sometimes. It is heavy. I used it on a stand sitting on my lap. I did offline stuff. My friend went to VAMC here and no one batted an eye. I was in the waiting room and so I wanted to just do. I have apps I use . There is more of a problem with cell phones.; Reply to this comment


by swag August 7, 2009 1:11 PM EDT: This has been a story for over a decade in cities like San Francisco and Seattle. But unplug one laptop in New York, and suddenly this is brand new?; Reply to this comment


by barbaram99 August 7, 2009 10:14 AM EDT: I think the person has never uaed a Notebook computer. They are sometimes called laptops. I use mine at table. If the poster has ever uwed one he/she would know why we don't put our computers on our laps. Heat is the mane reasom. The bottom of the case gets hot. I bought a stand to put on my lap .I am legally blind and so I have to use a stand, It is called a poetable computer yet when I do take mine with me I do sit in a chair in the waiting room with my notebook on my stand that sits on my lap. I have used it on my lap and I told my friend I have to find something to set it on as the bottom gets hot.They have a lap desk for notebooks. I have a stans at home I use to bring the displau at eye level and cools it.; Reply to this comment

by gramto8 August 7, 2009 6:41 AM EDT

Does anyone else see the (Shoot... having a brainfart here -- can't think of the word I want) Anyway, can anyone see why most of the posts are weird? Everyone is making note of people taking up TABLE space using a LAPTOP! LAPtops indicate by their name that they are made to be used on the LAP. Just a thought!

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by barbaram99 August 7, 2009 1:35 PM EDT: It is a portable computer and they put out heat. The reason the users use a table. If ye have ever used one ye would know. Everything is in the case. Heat come from the processor,hard drive,modem etc. The bottom gets hot.


by httpwwwnews August 7, 2009 12:09 AM EDT: Most public libraries have free wifi and small group study rooms for library cardholders. No office? Go to the library.; Reply to this comment


by httpwwwnews August 6, 2009 11:41 PM EDT: Most public libraries have free wifi and small group study rooms for library cardholders. No office? Go to the library.; Reply to this comment


by barbaram99 August 6, 2009 6:58 PM EDT: I agree with the people needing to sit and eat. I don't eat and use my notebook. I just don't. The only times I take it is when I will be out and have to wait for Vince. Yet I do not hog a table. If I happen to have Notebook with me and I make sure there are seats for others. Manners are there and they never go out of style. I never use it in packed place. I rearly take it with me. There are more cell planes than notebook computers out there. I have the apps I use. I don't use my computer when I eat. We live in Seattle. Very sew have seem my computer whrn I am out. I don't think they should bar notebooks but have time limit. If there are no seats for oyhers to sit and eat. Shut yer lid and move on.; Reply to this comment


by barbaram99 August 6, 2009 6:02 PM EDT: I bought used notebook computer and I take it with when I has to wait for my live in friend when he has to go the the Dr. It is off line, so I write. Anyway I am a sp needs person. I sometimes take my computero so as I wait. I do not care for coffee houses/bars. I may have my list of what I need there as I can't write that well by hand.
No one bats an eye. I use large print. I have internet at home. I am wired, I blog here at home. The reason for a notebook is the space. I am legally blind and I am 54. I think the ones using cell phones are more of a problem. My friend has me carry one. I will ask if it is alright if I call my sighted friend as we both are in our 50s. I have seen others with their computers in places. So, At lease they are quiet. There is one using their computer every now and again. I would rather they crack down on cell phone. It yak,yak,yak. Notebooks are quiet.; Reply to this comment


by jayelle5 August 6, 2009 5:51 PM EDT: I don't blame the shops for this policy. It would be great to go into a Starbucks or other coffee shop and actually be able to find a seat for a change. I'm fed up with people who hog tables for hours as if they were in the library or an office. They need to find somewhere else to study or work.; Reply to this comment