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The NY Times examined the people who dash into restaurants and cafes to recharge their laptops, cellphones, iPods - you name it - as they try to remain connected and mobile. Many establishments seem to be cool with people free-riding on their electrical bill:
At Jackson Hole, a restaurant on Manhattan's Upper West Side, a regular diner used to plug his laptop into an outlet hidden behind a large framed picture.Aha! However, at Amy Ruth's in Harlem, one waitress scolded a diner trying to charge up, asking who would pay for it? But one place where everyone sees people with laptops is Starbucks, which seems not to mind, and Gothamist is glad. Anyplace charging $4 for burnt tasting coffee (no matter how addictive it is) should be giving free shoulder rubs as well as electricity."We finally got rid of that painting," said Anna Kalogeras, the restaurant's manager. "We definitely don't have a problem with people coming in using our electricity like that. It makes the place look busy."
Where do you charge up when your batteries are running low? Or are you actually very aware of issues like these and carry back-up batteries?
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At the risk of exposing my outer-boroughness, the Staten Island ferry (specifically the Newhouse and the Barberi) are great for recharging. There are outlets all over the place. You can sit and work on your laptop while it's plugged in. You can't beat it.
On the occasion That use my laptop, I have a spare Battery.
Wherever I charge up, I make sure I do it in a place that's cool with it. Go to Starbuck$$$$. I really hate their stuff, but at least I can leech some of their power away and they are actually happy with it! It goes hand in hand with their WiFi access.
Stealing power from stores on the DL is really sickening. All you're doing is ripping off people who eventually have to pay for it.
I just don't use laptops, cell phones or other similar devices. When I'm out, I prefer to stay unplugged.
Once plugged in in the cafe at the Virgin Megastore Union Square... security was on me like I had CDs stuffed in my shorts.
Told him I just spent $50 on CDs. "Store policy."
Way to hang onto a customer. Crossed the street to Starbucks and bought THEIR overpriced coffee instead.
I've plugged my laptop in on Amtrak, the Long Island Railroad (gotta sit on the end seats near the door), airport waiting areas and even airplanes (with a special adapter).
In Chicago you can actually plug-in on the El trains. There's a regular AC outlet near every door. This is disgraceful, but I've actually plugged in my cell phone to continue a conversation. Above ground, AC-equipped public transit: a formula for bad behavior.
I always seem to run out of juice after a weekend trip so airports are where I most often charge up. They have outlets all over the place. Transportation systems usually try to accommodate commuters and their electronics. In fact, I am pretty sure it is built into their budget.
This is a 2005 update on the Seinfeld episode when George has the 411 on the private "public" bathrooms around the city!
the private public bathrooms conversation on gothamist is right here. --- in fact, number 3 on my Top Ten "Public" Bathrooms list (in the comments) notes that i like to recharge my iPod, (and my powerbook, and my allegiance to the cult of mac) at the Apple Store.