The diversity and functionality of electronic devices has led to the gradual displacement of traditional paper books. Experts predict the gradual “dying” of the printing business. Is this really true? To answer this question, it is worth understanding the features of both products and understanding which is better: an e-book or a paper one? Our experts found it out.
Aesthetics and benefits of paper books
With the advent of electronic reading devices, paper books gradually began to fade into oblivion, because it is much easier to download several dozen works to one device and enjoy a literary work anywhere. But a paper book, after all, is something more than just a source of information. This is something fascinating. Most users admit that ordinary paper books have charm and aesthetics, which allows them to enjoy the reading process. Experts say that information gleaned from a paper book is absorbed much better than from an electronic one. It’s all about the peculiarities of human perception: the brain receives a lot of new information every day and, in order to fix the necessary information, uses various “anchors”. When it comes to a paper book, such “anchors” are tangible factors: the cover, the rustle of the pages, notes in the margins, etc. An electronic device, in fact, is just a faceless set of characters. The time spent reading the electronic version cannot be compared with the pleasure of owning a book made of paper.
ADVANTAGES
- Aesthetic appearance;
- High memorability of information;
- Possibility of creating a personal book collection;
- No need to recharge.
DISADVANTAGES
- High cost;
- Impracticality (large size and weight);
- Difficulty reading in low light;
- Cutting down trees to make books.
Convenience and functionality of e-books
The electronic format at one time became almost a sensation, which did not have the best impact on the book printing business, since many consumers immediately preferred the first option. Yes, you can’t argue with the practicality and comfort of using e-books. You can easily take it with you on a business trip or just read an interesting work on the way to work. In addition, the ability to read several books at once in parallel is important (fiction, for advanced training, expanding knowledge about the world, etc.): just download the electronic version of the book on the purchased device in any convenient format and enjoy reading in any weather, anywhere and in any time. After all, there is no connection to the presence of lighting, etc. The e-book is compact in size, light weight and has additional options that help increase reading comfort (for example, special fonts, screen backlighting, etc.).
ADVANTAGES
- Does not take up much space;
- Suitable for reading in dimly lit places (even in complete darkness);
- The ability to download almost any book for free;
- Easy to use (you can quickly make the necessary notes and bookmarks without using any improvised means).
DISADVANTAGES
- Need periodic recharging;
- If a breakdown occurs, repairs will not be cheap;
- The presence of advertisements and pop-up messages can distract from reading.
Comparative characteristics
Unfortunately, electronic devices are, nevertheless, gradually replacing classical printing. Our experts compared the two products across a number of key criteria to see if e-readers are truly better than paper books.
Accessibility
E-books are certainly more accessible and practical. Connoisseurs of high-quality reading matter know firsthand the considerable cost of paper books, because the price of individual copies can reach several thousand rubles. But an electronic device makes it possible to read many works completely free of charge: just download them from the Internet. Moreover, its price is not that high. And with regular reading (when compared with the price of paper versions), the purchase of the device will pay for itself in a couple of months. The accessibility of information perception also cannot be discounted. Many models of electronic devices make it possible not only to read, but to listen to books, playing them in audio mode, which is very convenient if your hands are busy, for example, with cooking, but you want to enjoy pleasant reading, or in the process of work or study you need to quickly familiarize yourself with additional material.
ON A NOTE. When choosing an e-reader, you need to pay attention to two points: the discharge speed of the device (an important factor for those who read a lot) and supported formats (some users are unpleasantly surprised after purchase to learn that the device does not recognize certain formats).
Safety
The impact of a book on vision is an important point, since the pleasure of reading is not comparable to the deterioration of health. In terms of safety and paper and electronic versions are identical. Digitized text is displayed on a dim LCD screen, often equipped with an anti-glare effect, thereby reducing eye strain during reading.
ON A NOTE. When purchasing an electronic device, it is important to pay attention to the type of its display: unlike the LED variety, the E-Ink screen does not adversely affect the eyes. And when choosing a book, you should take into account the peculiarities of its smell, since it causes sneezing or allergies in some (it is important to immediately pay attention to this while holding the printed product in your hands).
Environmental friendliness
Since wood is known to be used to make printed products, many are switching to electronic alternatives in an attempt to protect natural resources. On the other hand, plastic is used in the production of digitized products, which does not have the best effect on the environmental situation in the world, because the number of plastic products produced in general annually reaches colossal proportions.
Ease of use
If we talk about practicality, here, of course, the digitized options simply have no equal. Especially when it comes to a long work trip or travel: you don’t have to stock up on several books, weighing down your things and bothering yourself with the need to hold an often difficult product in your hands. But e-books are more practical:
- Compact – unlike printed versions, they are light in weight and dimensions, and the need for recharging is easily solved by purchasing a portable battery.
- Variable – when choosing a suitable product, you can choose an option to suit your taste: not only the size, but also the design, color, etc. And by adding a stylish case to your purchase, you can give the product a sophisticated look that is not inferior to the cover of a printed publication.
- Ergonomic – no need to waste time constantly turning pages – light touches of the screen with your finger are enough.
- Independent of daylight hours – an indispensable option for trips where it is not possible to provide lighting (for example, on a train or on vacation in the forest). If the device does not have a backlight, the problem can be easily solved using a PocketBook flashlight.
Individual factors
We are talking about those moments that do not play a role for the majority, but for some are very important. This could be the comfort of using a particular product. For example, some consumers enjoy reading, rustling “live” pages and feeling the smell of paper, and nothing can replace this for them. Others prefer the practicality of an electronic device, while others dislike it for its unpleasant feature: if a file is accidentally deleted (especially if it is an important one), it cannot be restored.
