Coffee break- Laptops are Bigger in Panera Bread
I work all over the place. I enjoy getting out and working while things are happening all around. I work in big coffee shops, family-run coffee shops, and big chains. They all have different things in their favor.
One of my favorite places to work is Panera Bread. The free Wi-Fi is pretty good, and as a rule, I find the locations to be more comfortable than that other big chain coffee shop. They have pretty good sandwiches for lunch, too.
No matter where I work, I spend a lot of time observing the other professionals working around me. I love seeing what gear they are using and how they use it. It gives me pause to think about how I approach my work and lets me make sure I do things the best I can.
One observation about working in Panera Bread puzzles me. I have noticed that many people who bring their laptops to Panera in order to work have big notebooks. I’m talking giant, honking 17-inch laptops with ports everywhere and nary a concern for easy portability. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m all for using the best gear that fits one’s needs — but after many, many sessions, I am seeing a trend that is not coincidental, I believe. I see them far more in Panera than any other venue I frequent. It is routine for me to see a giant notebook being used, and often more than one person using them, every single time I go to Panera. It’s just not that common to see them in other venues.
So what’s behind this? I have wracked my brain, but I can’t figure it out. How about you? Why would more big laptops be used in Panera Bread than in any other place?
I suspect this is a research design problem, with a hidden variable at play. In my experience at the Panera bread near campus I see medium to small laptops, while at the two near commercial areas I see larger (and newer) ones. The seating at the commercial locations are more comfy, too.
Panera seems to have plenty of table space. You have large tables and big booths, so perhaps those with larger laptops flock to the place they know they can spread out in.
I see people playing games such as World of Warcraft, etc. at Paneras all the time. What is the ratio of individuals using those bigger laptops to them playing online games?
This is a true story: A few months ago I went to a Panera in a mall food court and saw a guy working on a laptop. He was typing on the laptop keyboard, but its screen was off or broken, and instead he had plugged in an actual 15 or 17-inch CRT screen.
He was kind of shady-looking fellow and I’m pretty sure the woman with him was his mother, so I didn’t dare approach him to ask about it.
I don’t know about you specific coffee joints but my family owned coffeeshops are frequented by folks who travel on foot while the Paneras I know are all places you drive to.
If you are going to haul something big around, a cup of coffee and a muffin just aren’t enough when you need to re-energize.
I beleive it is the table space and driving to the coffee shop, also plenty of electrical outlets. Work issued laptop aswell. I have seen some tablet pc convertables, but always used in laptop mode. Panera is my favorite place togo. I like that they don’t play the music to loud and they do make good salads, sandwiches and soups.
I’ll bet it’s about being cheap, or not wanting to shell out cash for things that are deemed unnecessary.
You said it yourself, Panera has free wifi. Free is always good.
Now to the laptop situation. These guys view a laptop as portable, and don’t see a need to waste money on multiple computers. I’ll bet that big seventeen incher is the only computer they own.
Free wifi and one computer. It’s about being frugal.
I’ll bet you see a lot more Macs in Starbucks, too. I know I do.
I met with a web designer there who brought and Imac with a full size keyboard and mouse. When I work there, I have my 17-inch Dell M90 for engineering.
It is definitely more conducive to spreading out. The layout is better. It’s quieter. And the wi-fi is free. Perhaps real work gets done there.
I think the main reason is table size and stability. Coffee shops tend to have flimsier tables.
Every time I’m in Panera I feel like everyone is trying to be considerate. Even when families come in, everyone seems to speak quietly. I really like the respect that everyone seems to have there. Decent espresso too.
I think the real problem here is that the coffee shop is fast becoming an office space provider. Next they will be offering “free” telephone, fax, photocopying and secretarial services.:)
Living in the UK, I am seeing a great deal more of this. I find it a bit distrubing. People need to have a break from the office.
More people should just go there to enjoy the Tea/Coffee and something to eat.
My 17 inch laptop was my primary computer, used for video and image editing and I took it to Panera when I had to get out o the home office but still needed to work. Panera offered more table space so I didn’t feel I was a space hog when I was there for a while.
The large laptop has since been replaced by a fast desktop so now I go to Panera with my netbook, check some emails, surf a little and enjoy my coffee. I’m not there as much but it’s more enjoyable.
Sounds like it could be a case of the notebook reflecting the dietary choices of its owners and the places they like to go.
‘Panera Bread’ doesn’t exactly suggest lightweight, but rather carb and size heavy….
Big tables, big sandwiches, big coffee cups…
Tables are nice and all, but I think you’re all missing the issue: the clientele.
The Starbucks crowd simply doesn’t use gigantic laptops. Either they don’t buy cheaper laptops (that’s born out in the Starbucks I go to where the cheapest ones you see are low end White Macbooks) or they’re a little more style conscious (chalk that up to pretentiousness or whatever you want, but most latte sippers would never be caught dead with a computer that size, again, at least at the Starbucks’ I go to).
I think it’s just a difference in the clientele and what they use a computer for / buy a computer for, and the kind of crowd that frequents the store. Starbucks, as much as I love them, caters to a more… Well… “snobby” crowd. Panera is way more “down home every man.” That coupled with the fact that Panera’s WiFi is free probably attracts the budget / regular guy crowd more than coffee and pay WiFi.
Contrasting Panera with Starbucks, one key difference is the emphasis on food. Starbucks emphasizes coffee; less expensive and something many people are likely to grab and go.
At Panera, it seems most customers are getting a sandwich and being more leisurely about it.
I’m less inclined to lug a large laptop into Starbucks for 10 minutes, but more so at Panera where I’ll be there for 30-40 minutes (with a table, something you may or not find available at Starbucks).
And finally, Vincent’s point about clientele is well put. I see a lot of students “camping” at Starbucks, often with lower end laptops. It’s a cheap(er) place for them to study or hang out. The setup of Panera implies “I’m here for lunch” and naturally attracts a different crowd.
What other chains other than Panera and Starbucks do you go to for working?
I also go to independent local shops.