[burriko]

Working alongside 2 or 3 other coworkers isn't really the same thing as an open-office though. At the moment I'm sitting in an office of approximately 30+ people. Working on my own in this environment is annoying. Working with my team (2-3 other people) is also annoying, as we can't speak without being overheard. And I'm sure when we're working as a team, and conversing a lot, we'll be annoying others who require some quiet.

A private office doesn't mean you have to work on your own, it just means you have the option to.

[collyw]

I am in an office of 4. It used to be an office of two, which was great - most productive time of my working life.

Even with just 4 of us, it means there is a good chance someone will be asked something, and regularly the head comes down to discuss stuff with one of us (often me). I can deal with it for the standard bug fix type work, but trying to learn something new is really difficult with constant interruption.

[bronson]

Not always... I've seen private offices so small two people can just sit in there. It's like Brazil (the movie) but better lit.

So, IFF your company has the money to devote a fair amount of real estate to each worker, yes, private offices are great.