Tuesday, March 22, 2011

ebook and paper book compared

I really like my Nook. But it is astonishing what a bad deal it is:










EbookPaper Books
c. $12.00c. $15.00
Not returnable. The moment you click "Confirm purchase" your stuck with it.Returnable
Can't resellCan resell, for $2-8. Final price $7-13
Can't buy usedCan buy used, for $2-8, and then resell again, perhaps breaking even.
Can loan out once, if friend has same deviceCan loan or give away freely
Depends on technology. Can be lost by tech failures or changing formatsLasts centuries with reasonable care.

The principle advantage, as I can see it, is that an ebook doesn't take up space on your bookshelf, and you don't have to wait for it to come in the mail. It's fun to be cutting edge, but, really...

Of course, almost ALL of the disadvantages of ebooks are CREATED by the publisher.

Oh, yeah, that reminds me of the BIGGEST advantage of ebooks: you don't have to rely on major publishers to create them!

1 comment:

wordwitch said...

Thanks so very much for the very timely review. I had just this past week or so been considering getting a KOBO from Borders. But I kept waffling about it. I mean, it'd be super if I traveled a lot - much easier to take along a slim tablet than a bunch of paperbacks...but since I don't travel...

You put into words exactly what I always suspected. TANKS!