The wide availability of electronic devices for reading e-books has had an unexpected impact in the publishing world, but which is better; e-books or printed books? It was first predicted that e-books would slowly decrease the demand and commercial viability of print media. The truth is that demand for print media has not slowed down. However, both media forms offer advantages depending on your budget and personal preference. In addition, recent scientific studies have suggested that each has its own benefits.
Print or E-Book: Which Is Better?
When tablets, and e-readers first became affordable and widely available it was predicted by industry experts that sales of e-readers and e-books would surpass print books by 2015. When this date came and passed sales of print books remained in high demand. In consideration of the reason for this some surprising things occurred.
The popularity and portability of e-readers are a big advantage, and they have endless storage capacity. Print books, however, have a nostalgia to them. One reason is there is less eye strain in reading print media. Another advantage in a print book is being able to write in it. On the other hand, students on a budget and who don’t have the space for a traditional library will save money on text books and storing the libraries on an e-reader. In addition, e-books are more environmentally friendly.
The Advantages of E-books and Print Books
Let’s start with E-books. They have endless storage space and are easy to travel with on the go. You can also download them instantly online. Another cool thing about them is they don’t age like print books, and you can make notes in them, depending on the device you use. Also, they come with built in dictionaries!
But what about print books? As it turns out, print books are awesome too. They cause less eye strain, you don’t have to worry about battery life on a book, either. Print books are less likely to be stolen over e-readers. They can also handle sitting in the front seat of your car and not mind damage by overheating.
What Does Science Say?
The science is not comprehensive, but it has been found that in children e-readers provide a better interactive experience, and lead to better retention of vocabulary. In contrast, adults seem to do better with print books. University students report being able to concentrate better, and retain more information by reading print books. Some of these reported benefits come from the eyestrain and blue light exposure that comes from using screens that illuminate the books being read.
A Matter of Personal Preference
In the end, it may come down to the consumer. If you don’t mind carrying around books, and like the nostalgia of them, stick with print. On the other hand, if you are busy, on the go, and want to maximize your space, e-readers are a great way to go. There are hundreds of devices to choose from. Choose wisely and read for a lifetime!