For coffee shop computing, I’d like a computer than is clearly only for programming/creative work.
When you saw Hemingway with a typewriter in a cafe, or Feynman with pages of squiggles in a bar, it was obvious at a glance they were creating. And 30 years ago, a programmer could also look like that, but laptops have been ruined by entertainment.
My kind of mid-2010s hack to that end was to use an app that put my whole screen into red monochrome on a black background. It didn't abuse my eyes and, since the whole screen was usually filled with tiny code, people assumed I was doing something important.
But more importantly, I think, I came from an epoch where if you're going to take your work out with you, you'd better be prepared to be interrupted and be gregarious and conversational with people. No headphones, no cold shoulder. People ask what you're doing and you take a 30 minute break and show them. Maybe make plans to get drinks after work. I used to meet other coders that way - it was actually how I met most of the really solid people I worked with over the years. Otherwise why would you be out?
When you saw Hemingway with a typewriter in a cafe, or Feynman with pages of squiggles in a bar, it was obvious at a glance they were creating. And 30 years ago, a programmer could also look like that, but laptops have been ruined by entertainment.