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?
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