You're mistaking customer unfriendly with laptop-unfriendly.
Most of the time, I prefer to not feel like I stepped into a laptop-geek-chic convention when I visit a cafe.
Sometimes I want a place where I can just use my laptop -- on those occasions, I visit a cafe where I'm welcome to destroy the ambience (such as any exists) by staring glass-eyed into my laptop screen.
Well, I focused on the laptop factors, but it's really remarkable how much Starbucks' processes have sped up the process of getting coffee...
First, someone asks what you want then writes on the cup and passes it to the barista to get started... They can do this a few people ahead and often do, so that by the time you are paying your drink is almost ready.
Contrast this to the independent coffee shops which usually have a frazzled hipster avoiding eye contact with all but the first person in the line, and then spending most of his/her time trying to make your drink while the other person working there is chilling out also avoiding eye contact... based on what seems like some arrangement between the workers to take alternate customers.
Don't get me wrong, I love coffee shops and often it's worth dealing with a bit of frustration or lack of professionalism... it's just crazy how much Starbucks has innovated in this area... something that probably makes a huge difference in how much coffee gets sold when the line gets long.
Most of the time, I prefer to not feel like I stepped into a laptop-geek-chic convention when I visit a cafe.
Sometimes I want a place where I can just use my laptop -- on those occasions, I visit a cafe where I'm welcome to destroy the ambience (such as any exists) by staring glass-eyed into my laptop screen.