laptop hobo

plural laptop hobos

1. informalA heavy user of freely available Wi-Fi and/or power outlets at coffee shops.

   Real laptop hobos you'll find in the windows of coffee shops up the street that offer free WiFi and unprotected electrical outlets.

   2011 September 30, Stephen Quinn, “Hobo with a laptop”, in Globe and Mail

   2 more examples

   Starbucks started the war on laptop hobos (you know who you are, essay/screenplay/blog writers) who camp for the free Wi-Fi, nurse a single coffee for hours and take up valuable real estate.

   2012 January 8, Denise Ryan, “‘Laptop hobos’ face crackdown”, in Vancouver Sun

   The "laptop hobo" phenomenon — patrons buying one coffee and spending ensuing hours browsing the Web — is a growing issue with food and beverage operations.

   2013 July 5, Steve Raabe, “Colorado coffee shops putting limits on power, Wi-Fi use”, in Denver Post