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Posted
One of my absolute favorite things to do in the US when I am working on an article, is to lug my Dell over to a cool coffee shop and while away the hours writing while sipping tall lattes. Something about the vibe of a cafe keeps my words flowing!
Now I am in Madrid and would like to do the same but I have never seen anyone doing this at any cafe I have visited. Of course, I expect that to change in a few years like everything else...but in the meantime...does anyone know of any laptop friendly cafes..where you can plug in to their enchufes (this is key as batteries don't last long enough).
Or, if if you are not sure about the laptop thing, how about any cafes where you know for a fact that the owners are cool and wouldn't have a problem with this. In other words a place not run by folks that just say NO NO NO without even considering your request.
Thanks Candela
PS I will post the results of what I find here, okey dokey?
Posts: 997 | Location: MADRID! | Registered: 09 November 2002
sounds like the beginning of a possible business plan to me! !
of course, sad to say, there's always starbucks
"I move in a landscape where revolution and love speak overwhelming words" Ren� Char<br /><br />"Using a stone for a pillow, I drift toward the clouds" Santoka Taneda
Posts: 124 | Location: san francisco, usa | Registered: 23 August 2002
Thats a good question. Also, are there any cafes or internet cafes that allow you to bring your laptop and pay to use their internet? I thought I heard about something like that once, and I know we have it here in the US, but I wasn't sure.
I know of a place called Syvarya at Avendida de Brazil, 19 near Metro Cuzco. It is not in the center, but the owner, Antonio, is a Spanish guy brought up in New York. He is pretty cool and would probably be open to your suggestions. Plus he just openned not too long ago and still has reasonable drink prices. Rocco.
[Madrid Rooms: Furnished rooms in flats with shared kitchens & bathrooms.][Spain Directory: Your Spain Yellow Pages.][ Sponsored by: www.madridinsider.com: Free Madrid & Do it Yourself information.]
Posts: 881 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 08 November 2002
Never seen any real caf�s with laptop ports but sounds like a killer biz idea as boneshaker has said.
Metro Cuzco is way out for this type of business, it would need to be central to have a good chance. I am not saying it has to be in the Puerta del Sol or anything but in the center, maybe tucked away on a cozy side street. Once the word got out it would be HUGE.
In the meantime, Candela, you should look into buying a second or even a second and third battery for your Dell to avoid the juice problem.
Hey amapola612, as far as I know there is only 1 internet place in Madrid that has laptop ports (2 of them I think). It is CyberInterPublic ( www.cyberinterpublic.com ) There is a map HERE.
Candela was asking about a place with a nice ambiance where she could plug her computer into an electrical outlet and sit having something to drink while working on her computer. The main factor here being that the place have a nice comfortable / cozy feel like a lounge or coffee shop and provide A/C, as opposed to your other still good, but slightly off, idea of having a more practical internet cafe where people can bring their portable computers and plug into both the electrical outlets and internet and use their own computers to surf the net. Although a good idea, this second type of place would be more cold and business-like and have less of a warm feel than what is hoped for.
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Posts: 881 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 08 November 2002
Thanks! I was just curious, because I may or may not have an internet connection in my home, and I like to download digital pictures and things. Just thought it might be easier that way!
We are investigating the possibility of installing a wireless system. Two people are competing so I will let you know what happens. It is being introduced into Spain and one of the companies assures me that soon it will be available in hotels , bars (depending on the clientele, can't imagine Groovie or Tupperware going for it) and Campsites! As for A.C. outlets, most cafe type places, for obvious safety reasons don't have sockets in public areas, you might be able to find a nice, friendly and obliging bar-person to allow you sit at the bar and use one of the sockets that are invariably behind it. :cheers:
Posts: 222 | Location: madrid,spain | Registered: 21 July 2002
Sounds cool tubby, DO let us know if you put that system in
Ok, just saw an ad in this month's InMadrid paper for "CYBER CAF� �LAMO". They plug themselves as "INTERNET FOR COFFEE LOVERS" and call it a...
quote:
"bar-cafeteria where you can connect to internet or to work-station (I think this means laptop plug-in port ) while you eat the most delicious tapas...one of the most interesting and cosmopolitan cyber-cafes in Madrid"
OK, so take it with a grain of salt as it is a paid ad but I was wondering if anyone has ever been to this place?
At 1.80 Euros/hour it comes in 0.60 Euros/hour more expensive than the average "cyber", wondering if it is worth it?
One plus is that it is open weekdays 8am to 2am and weekends 12noon to 2am.
I may go with my laptop one day and do some investigative reporting
Cybercaf� Alamo. C/ El �lamo, 7. www.cafealamo.com Metro: Plaza de Espa�a.
If anyone else has been, is a regular or goes to check it out, please let us know here if they have laptop ports and hoe the service is in general (especially the Caf�).
CyberFutura in c/Montera (near the top end - Red de San Luis/Gran Via metro) has about 5 laptop ports - it was a lifesaver for me last year when I first arrived here and I needed to send some design work back to the UK.
Posts: 21 | Location: Madrid, of course! | Registered: 10 October 2002
Hey JamesH, after reading your post on CyberFutura, I told a cell rental client of mine about their laptop ports.
That same client came into my office on Friday to get some more eurodirect phone cards and a cell recharge and said that he went to CyberFutura and it suited him fine.
and wouldn't have a problem with this. In other words a place not run by folks that just say NO NO NO 
without even considering your request.![[Embarassed]](redface.gif)
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
) while you eat the most delicious tapas...one of the most interesting and cosmopolitan cyber-cafes in Madrid" 
