Hard copy or ebook?

[Beardedtractor]

The biggest debate of our time, one that stirs man's soul and causes him to wrestle with great moral and ethical dilemmas: books in e-format or hard copy?

Right now I am struggling with books that I would categorize as 'shorter, informative books that are only a few hundred pages that you read cover to cover' that I read for seminary study. As a general rule, books that I read in my spare time generally fall into the kindle category, while larger textbook types I like to have in a hard copy. I do of course also have many in Logos. These shorter books for classes however kind of fall in the middle and I'm unsure of which way to go.

Pro's to ebook format: easier to read, easier to keep track of highlighted content. Much easier to carry them all around on my tablet instead of 10 books in a bag or whatever. I like holding a tablet better than keeping a book open with both hands.

Con's: pretty much the biggest con is not being able to lend them out to other people. Also, I like having a collection to look at.

Thoughts? What are y'alls policies on determining whether to buy hard copy or e-format?

[Rahvin3]

I am Old-school with books and prefer an actual book. It just isn't the same sitting infront of the fire with a tablet.... need an actual paper book and a coffee.

Another thing.... with an ebook you miss out on that nice smell some books get.

You also don't have to worry about the light from the kindle etc affecting you so you can't sleep properly.

[Renic Ixillon]

We must go back to Vellum Scrolls!!!!

[Dantzor]

I use ebook's for fiction novels and such, but for my "study" reading I need the hard copy to highlight, underline, make notes, etc...

[Voha]

I agree with the others.

Casual reading - kindle. For studying and retention - hard copy. It is just 100x easier to mark up and take notes in a hard copy. Not to mention easier to look up things when you don't know an exact phrase to search for but do remember a general area.