News, Are NYC Starbucks Cutting Off Electricity To Laptop Users? (laptops, flash)

[John1960]

Certain Starbucks in NYC have been quietly covering up their electrical outlets so that customers can't turn the ubiquitous cafes into free office space, according to Starbucks Gossip. The issue first came to light in an open thread about Starbucks on the website; nestled in among complaints such as "the sbux by my house always seem stuffy inside," and "have you ever been in a Starbucks when they didn't play Bob Marley?" you'll find this observation from voiceover actor Mike Pollock, who reveals that "Several Manhattan, New York, stores have replaced AC outlets with blank faceplates, implying that wifi users should leave when their batteries run out. Isn't that a type of restriction on laptop use?"

Are NYC Starbucks Cutting Off Electricity To Laptop Users?: Gothamist

[NJBest]

They're probably having random people come in just to charge and don't have man power to regulate. With laptops lasting 7+ hours all the way up to 20 hours with extended batteries, there's no reason you'd need to plug in at a Starbucks.

[swagger]

Originally Posted by John1960

"Isn't that a type of restriction on laptop use?"

WTF? The people in NY have such an insane sense of entitlement, it's crazy!

Newsflash - Starbucks isn't your friggin' office. You don't pay rent there. You don't have a contract with them that states that you'll get access to everything you want so you can stay online indefinitely.

The fact that they supply a free network connection is a GIFT! Treat it accordingly! When was the last time one of these ungrateful busybodies actually thanked the manager or barista for providing it? Now they're complaining that there's nowhere to plug in? Sheesh!

Electricity costs money. If they want to use their gadgets at Starbucks for hours upon hours at a sitting, then they should bring extra batteries, charged on their own dime.

[captne76]

Some people I know in NY City have older batteries which only last about 10 minutes, making such a scenario useless to them. Yes I know they could buy new batt's but they're too rich and famous for that.

[bs13690]

Originally Posted by NJBest

They're probably having random people come in just to charge and don't have man power to regulate. With laptops lasting 7+ hours all the way up to 20 hours with extended batteries, there's no reason you'd need to plug in at a Starbucks.

You must be using some sort of magic battery. My company deploys thousands of PC on a rotating basis and I have never heard of one with a 7 hour battery. Granted, we buy cheap business models.

Starbucks has every right to deny people access to their electricity. The question is whether or not this is a sound business decision. Since I have no way of knowing their electricity costs vs. how much they make from their overpriced swill I can't comment on that matter.

[NJBest]

Originally Posted by bs13690

You must be using some sort of magic battery. My company deploys thousands of PC on a rotating basis and I have never heard of one with a 7 hour battery. Granted, we buy cheap business models.

Starbucks has every right to deny people access to their electricity. The question is whether or not this is a sound business decision. Since I have no way of knowing their electricity costs vs. how much they make from their overpriced swill I can't comment on that matter.

Look up the Thinkpad X220 or T420. 7+ hours on standard battery on business laptops is not so uncommon these days. With the extended batteries, you can get 20+ hours. Just because you haven't heard of it doesn't make it magical. It just means that you are not well-informed.

[bs13690]

Originally Posted by NJBest

Look up the Thinkpad X220 or T420. 7+ hours on standard battery on business laptops is not so uncommon these days. With the extended batteries, you can get 20+ hours. Just because you haven't heard of it doesn't make it magical. It just means that you are not well-informed.

I'll believes it whens I sees it. We got some X220s coming 'cause the higher ups round these parts think they are special so they ordered a special laptop. Us regular schmoes have to deal with the regular old 2 - 3 hour battery.

PC World claims they got 8 hours out of a high capacity battery on a X200 but doesn't bother to explain their testing criteria.

[NJBest]

" Just with the 63Wh six-cell battery, the system lasted seven hours and 19 minutes on our video rundown test, which loops the same standard definition video with brightness set at 65 percent. In typical use, we were actually able to squeeze out about eight hours of run time with that cell. Let's repeat that: eight hours.

And that's just with the standard battery. So what, you ask, about that whopping slice battery up there? What does that add? About another seven hours, if you can believe it! That's right, on our video rundown test with both batteries strapped on, the system ran that standard definition video on loop for 14 hours and 30 minutes."

- Lenovo ThinkPad X220 review -- Engadget

[bs13690]

Originally Posted by NJBest

" Just with the 63Wh six-cell battery, the system lasted seven hours and 19 minutes on our video rundown test, which loops the same standard definition video with brightness set at 65 percent. In typical use, we were actually able to squeeze out about eight hours of run time with that cell. Let's repeat that: eight hours.

And that's just with the standard battery. So what, you ask, about that whopping slice battery up there? What does that add? About another seven hours, if you can believe it! That's right, on our video rundown test with both batteries strapped on, the system ran that standard definition video on loop for 14 hours and 30 minutes."

- Lenovo ThinkPad X220 review -- Engadget

I believe it when I see it personally. Not trying to argue, just the way I am.

[henry1]

Originally Posted by John1960

Certain Starbucks in NYC have been quietly covering up their electrical outlets so that customers can't turn the ubiquitous cafes into free office space, according to Starbucks Gossip. The issue first came to light in an open thread about Starbucks on the website; nestled in among complaints such as "the sbux by my house always seem stuffy inside," and "have you ever been in a Starbucks when they didn't play Bob Marley?" you'll find this observation from voiceover actor Mike Pollock, who reveals that "Several Manhattan, New York, stores have replaced AC outlets with blank faceplates, implying that wifi users should leave when their batteries run out. Isn't that a type of restriction on laptop use?"

Are NYC Starbucks Cutting Off Electricity To Laptop Users?: Gothamist

I have seen this a few times in diff places in the areas around my office and apt there in the city ..I seen the person has sit there for more than four hour's with them buying a cup of coffee and nothing else dureing there time there ..They sitting there for hours and not moveing .

So i can understand the thinking behind there throught process .. I go into this one place there in area and one guy has to asked to leave because he will sit there all day useing there wifi set up ..