Pros and Cons of eBook Readers
eBook readers are increasingly becoming a popular choice for people to read their magazines and books on. But do they really provide a better reading experience?
Here are some pros and cons of eBook readers that can help you decide whether one is right for you:
Pro #1: Portability
A single Kindle can hold hundreds of books, which makes it a practical companion for people on-the-go or whilst traveling. As opposed to paper books which not only weigh more, but also take up more space in bags, eBook readers like the Kindle and Sony Reader are slim, compact, and light. This is especially attractive for perpetual readers of hardcover books, which weigh even more.
Con: Lose it once, lose them all
Unlike regular books, which you don’t carry more than few at a time, eBook readers risk losing their entire library in one fell swoop if it gets left behind in the bathroom or damaged by spilled water. Theft is also a real possibility, as eBook readers are more likely to get stolen than their paper counterparts.
Pro #2: More environmentally friendly
Books use a lot of paper and ink, which isn’t healthy for the environment. Purchasing an eBook reader can help cut back on the consumption of paper and ink, as well as the machines used to print them.
Con: Limited power source
Books may use paper, but eBook readers use a good bit of energy. Much like cellphones and laptops, readers need to be charged periodically to function, perhaps even more if you’re a frequent reader. The average battery life of the Kindle has been reported to be around 4-6 hours, and avid readers know it can sometimes take longer this to read through some books out there!
Pro #3: Plentiful selection
Supporters of paper books argue that the selection of eBooks can’t compare to all the books in the world, but this is slowly becoming a dying argument. Recently-published books are already coming out with electronic versions at the same time as the hard copy. Much of the classic novels have already been electronically formatted and are easily available for download.
Con: Differing formats
Not only are obscure titles less likely to be published into eBooks, they may not even come available in the format you want. Each model of eBook readers comes with a format to which the eBook files are attributed to. Unlike music files, which are almost universally in MP3 format, eBook formats remain unique between the Kindle, the Barnes & Noble’s Nook, and other readers. The exclusivity could make it challenging to get the books you want, especially if another brand of eBooks is carrying it.
