Introduction
By providing the groundwork for learning at a young age, books play a crucial influence in a person’s life. It is their goal to provide readers with accurate information. The process of digitization is largely to blame for the shift in reading habits that have occurred over the past few decades. Books’ look has changed, but so has the way that people read them. Recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of eBooks and audiobooks.
We are all used to reading printed books since they have the genuine appearance and feel of a real book- you can feel the paper, turn the pages, inhale the scent, etc. An eBook, however, is a relatively new idea. An eBook is simply the printed book’s electronic equivalent.
Printed Books vs. E-Books
An eBook is a digital copy of a book that can be read on a computer, tablet, or e-reader device, whereas a printed book is a tangible book that is printed on paper. Printed books may be read anywhere and are often bigger and heavier than eBooks, which must be viewed on an electronic device. In addition, printed books typically have a longer shelf life and can be passed down as treasures or keepsakes, but eBooks are susceptible to becoming out-of-date or unavailable as a result of technological advancements.
The format in which the book is presented is the primary distinction between a printed book and an eBook. An eBook is a digital version of a book that can be read on electronic devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones. A printed book is a physical copy of a publication that is manufactured using ink on paper. Compared to physical books, eBooks often take up less space, are more portable, and are simple to share and download. Contrarily, printed books can be read without the need for an electronic device and can be marked up with notes and highlights using a pen or pencil.
Difference Between Printed Books and E-books (In Tabular Form)
| PARAMETERS | PRINTED BOOKS | E-BOOKS |
| Meaning | A printed book is a literary work that consists of pages that are tied together along one side and covered. | An eBook is a book that has been converted into electronic form for reading on a specific e-reader, a computer, and portable devices. |
| Storage | Space for storage is needed. | Many eBooks can be found on a single device or application. |
| Speed | One can start reading a book right away after purchasing it or obtaining it from the library. | It might take a while for it to load. |
| Sharing | Simple to share. | Because premium e-readers only support one account, sharing is not feasible. |
| Footnotes and end-notes | Both end notes and footnotes are common in printed books. | End notes are a part of eBooks. |
| Search | Searching might be challenging. | Searching is quite simple. |
What Are Printed Books?
The physical version of a book is a printed book, which is made up of pages or sheets of paper bound together inside a cover made of cardboard. It is a piece of fiction or non-fiction literature that includes facts, tales, poetry, or other comparable content. A printed book is, in other words, a longer published literary composition.
A “book layout” is the format in which a printed book is set up. A front cover, a back cover, and the body copy, or content pages, make up the basic layout.
The title, subtitle, author name, and publication house name are all displayed on the front cover. Usually, the front cover’s interior is left empty. On the other hand, the book’s ISBN, the author’s portrait, and an introduction may all be found on the back cover. Barcode, price, and review excerpts could also be included.
There are printed available in offline mode at various places such as the neighborhood bookstore, markets, or libraries. Printed books are also available at online stores such as Amazon, Flipkart, and other online stores. Additionally, once the book has been used, the consumer can sell it again for a profit.
What are the advantages of Printed Books?
- Physical Presence: Reading books can be more physically engaging because they can be handled, touched, and otherwise interacted with.
- Illustrations and Photos: Printed books frequently come with eye-catching illustrations and photos that can enhance the reading experience.
- Annotation: Students and scholars can make notes on printed books using a pen or pencil, which is a handy tool.
- Lending and Borrowing: Print books can be lent or borrowed from a library or a friend, allowing for more widespread distribution and book sharing.
- Tangibility: Printed books frequently have a physical presence, which can increase their value to collectors or as a souvenir.
- Focus: Printed books are typically less engrossing than electronic books, making them suitable for prolonged reading sessions.
- Durability: Printed books can last for many years with proper maintenance and are more durable than electronic books.
What are the disadvantages of eBooks?
- They can be bulky and difficult to store and move due to their physical size.
- Long-term holding of them may be difficult and uncomfortable due to their weight.
- They can be costly to buy, particularly if you buy several printed books.
- They may be delicate and easily broken, especially if improper handling or storage practices are used.
- If you have a visual impairment or another condition that makes it challenging to read the small fonts, they may be challenging to use.
- They are not eco-friendly since the printing and shipping of books have a substantial negative impact on the environment.
- Once the book is printed, they are immutable and difficult to change or update.
What Are E-books?
An eBook is a book that is published in a digital format. The book that is offered, stored, disseminated, and read electronically is referred to as being “available”.
It consists of text, pictures, tables, and other elements that may be read on flat-panel or touch-screen devices such as a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or eBook reader.
An eBook has a table of contents that is clickable and takes the reader to the relevant page. The e-reader has a touchscreen display and several functions that make reading easier. Additionally, it has a paper-like appearance that makes it comfortable to read the texts in areas with highlighting. Additionally, the brightness level is automated and changes with the light.
The eBook reader may be a computer program that runs on desktops or laptops. For instance, Microsoft Corporation offers the Reader application. It might also be an e-Reader, a type of electronic reading gadget. One such e-Reader that Amazon currently sells is the “Kindle”. Barnes and Noble and Nuvomedia both sell a comparable item under the names “Nook” and “Rocket e-Book”
What are the advantages of eBooks?
- Convenience: eBooks are accessible at any time and are simple to download and read on a range of electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, and e-readers.
- Portability: eBooks are portable because they take up very little room and are simple to save on a device, making them convenient to carry around.
- Cost-effective: For older or out-of-print publications, eBooks are frequently less expensive than traditional books.
- Accessibility: eBooks are easily accessible to those with visual impairments or other disabilities since they may be read aloud by text-to-speech software or other assistive technologies.
- Instant Availability: Unlike physical books, which may need to be ordered or bought in a store, eBooks can be purchased and downloaded immediately.
- Easy to search: Users can quickly find particular information or passages inside eBooks by using the search function.
- Environmental Friendly: Compared to printed books, eBooks are more environmentally friendly because they don’t use paper or ink.
What are the disadvantages of eBooks?
- Not everyone has access to the electronic devices needed to read them, such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
- If you don’t have access to free eBooks, they could cost more than paper books.
- Some people may find it difficult to read them because electronic device screens are not as gentle on the eyes as real books.
- For some people, reading them might not be as fulfilling as reading a physical book can sometimes be a more immersive experience.
- If the device they are stored on is lost or broken, they can be easily deleted or lost.
- Since they are digital files, it may be challenging to lend or share them with others.
- They may not be available in some areas or during power outages and may be impacted by internet connectivity issues.
- They might not work with all devices and may have limitations according to the format they are in.
- Unlike printed books, they might not be able to be sold again.
Main Differences Between Printed Books and E-books (In Points)
- A printed book is a book that has been typewritten or printed on paper and comprises text, graphics, and other content. The definition of an eBook, on the other hand, is a file that can be read on an application or an e-Reader device and is the electronic equivalent of the traditional printed paperback.
- The back cover of printed books serves as both a protection measure and a marketing tool. Both hardcovers and softcovers are acceptable. In contrast, eBook features a front cover that is visible on online storefronts to draw customers.
- In contrast to eBooks, printed books have a fixed layout that cannot be altered once printing has begun. Reflowability is the ability of the text to reflow the words by the device, user preferences, and application. In light of this, eBooks enable readers to enjoy books in ways that suit their requirements and tastes.
- Although the initial cost of an e-Reader is higher than print, an eBook is more affordable than a printed book. A survey also showed that the e-Reader is more expensive, meaning that the consumer must pay a premium price for it. Additionally, it includes some form of annual fees.
- In a printed book, footnotes are used to provide more details about the highlighted content. In contrast, hyperlinks are utilized in eBooks to guide readers to the endnotes, where they can read the content and then go back.
- Speaking of storage, it goes without saying that since printed books are the actual form of books, they need to be kept in a certain location. In contrast, eBooks don’t require physical storage because the books are already stored on the device or in the program.
- When it comes to speed, you may start reading the book right away after purchasing it. However, loading an eBook could take some time.
- Sharing a printed book with friends, acquaintances, and family is simple. Additionally, it can be sold again after being used. In contrast, only one account may be used to access paid eBooks, which inherently restricts their use when shared because you must give that person your login information.
- A printed book’s weight simply relies on its volume and might range from light to hefty. An eBook weighs less than a traditional paperback, making it easier to handle for extended periods.
- It can be challenging to find a specific topic in a printed book because there are only two places to look for it: the glossary at the end of the table of contents. In comparison, searching for a topic in eBooks is incredibly simple because all you have to do is type the topic’s name into your device, and a list of all mentions will appear.
Conclusion
Both can be used to access a huge range of information, including novels, non-fiction, poetry, and other literary genres. Both are available for private readers to buy or borrow from libraries. Additionally, eBooks and printed books are both copyright laws and are bound by the same distribution and sharing restrictions. Additionally, both can be employed as the main sources of learning and education. Regardless of the goal, whether it be personal, professional, or educational, reading a book always aids in learning something new. Tohttps://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-printed-book-and-e-book/ choose the type of format they like, a consumer must consider the possibilities
References
- https://testbook.com/key-differences/difference-between-printed-book-and-ebook
- https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-printed-book-and-e-book/
