The eBook has sparked ambivalent feelings in many people. Many welcome the new technology while others still prefer the traditional book. So I decided to take a closer look at the pros and cons of both the eBook and the traditional book. Here goes…

eBook

Pros

• The eBook has the very handy capability to store a multitude of book titles enabling you to have a wide variety to choose from at any given point without having to actually carry a dozen books around with you on an eBook reader, this is especially delightful when travelling or on holiday.
• Most eBooks offer zoom functions and letter resizing making it easy to read to your own preferences.
• Traditional books require a light source in order to read whereas the eBook can be read anywhere and under any condition, making it more convenient.
• One great advantage the eBook has over the traditional book is the fact they are more environmentally friendly. You don’t have to cut trees and don’t even talk about the ink needed for a traditional book, I mean recycling can only help so much.

Cons

• Eye strain is one of the disadvantages of reading an eBook on a reader. Long periods spent in front of a computer or similar device is not healthy. The battery life of an eBook reader or computer when not plugged in to a power source generally lasts a few hours.
• The time taken for the eBook reader to display the next page is between a 2 or 3 seconds which can be frustrating.
• Software bugs in the reader can cause it to freeze up.
• eBooks are more expensive to purchase than the traditional print book.

Traditional Books

Pros

• There can be nothing more satisfying than walking into a bookstore and be spoiled for choice, traditional books offer far more than eBooks at this stage in terms of variety.
• Traditional books are readily available and you don’t have to concern yourself with format compatibility as you do with an eBook.
• Traditional books don’t cause you to strain your eyes, therefore allowing you to read for longer periods of time.
• Print Books are relatively cheaper when compared to the cost of an eBook.

Cons

• Traditional books become bothersome to carry around more than two books at a time.
• A light source is needed to read the print book.
• Print Books are not as environmentally friendly as an eBook.

My ultimate verdict is that while the eBook certainly makes life more simpler and convenient, the traditional print book inspires the reader as reading is a sensory experience and any avid reader will tell you that the story combined with the battered cover , broken spine and dank musty smell of the book adds to its charm, therefore the choice should be based purely on personal preference.