e-books or textbooks?

Published

Specializes in Critical Care.

I got my book list today, and we have the option of ordering all e-books for about $600 less than the textbook package, I figure it's a win-win, I can still "highlight" and bookmark and search and all that so it sounds better in my opinion, I have a tablet that I was planning on using for school and I won't have to carry around text books and I'll save some cash, of course I can't sell them back, but I will be using these books for the entire program and beyond so that's fine with me... does anyone have any experience with the e-books? anything I should consider before I buy them?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

People will tell you that they prefer one or the other. I used to say that I preferred actual books but this last semester I went with all e books and learned to deal with it. At first I spent a lot of time wondering if it was the right choice but by the middle of the semester I realized that I no longer cared and that the ebooks worked just fine. In fact I came to like them more for the reason you stated, better portability and convenience. If I really needed paper copies of any portion of the books, I'd just print out the pages I needed. You'll figure it out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Only problem is if your computer crashes that has all your e-books on it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wish I could have ALL my books in ebook. I love it. But it's definitely a personal preference. The only advice I have, and not knowing what your package entails, is that where you get ebooks MATTERS. I started out with Kindle books through Amazon and fortunately they took returns on them because the format was awful. All my nursing books are through http://www.kno.com and they are page for page like the real books. If I'm in class, I can turn to the same page the instructor give outs, which was not the case with the Kindle format for my particular texts.

Only problem is if your computer crashes that has all your e-books on it.

Problem easily solved if she has a backup device or can easily replace the tablet/computer. Ebooks are attached to account, not a device. I pull up my kno books on my tablet, laptop, and chromebook and I only had to make one purchase.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Problem easily solved if she has a backup device or can easily replace the tablet/computer. Ebooks are attached to account, not a device. I pull up my kno books on my tablet, laptop, and chromebook and I only had to make one purchase.

I had pdf files of all my books, so, not on an account. I was often able able to access my books when others who had their texts on an "account" could not because the internet was down. With pdf's I was able to load them on my phone and my laptop. the files are small so I had them on a thumb drive as a backup.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Honestly I like having both formats...lol I love the portability of the ebooks (our phyiscal books come with ebooks too.... that are an online format but you can download too....and all of your hilites/notes/etc will update next time you connect to the internet....)

BUT I like physical books too...when I am reading at home I prefer a real book....it's easier for me to focus on....I don't have to worry about charging a tablet or computer.....I dunno WHY but if it weren't for having to haul around a ton of huge books I'd just use physical books....but I agree it's much easier to pull a tablet out of your bag than haul huge books....

that was no help :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I say price out the different formats. See what you can find used either from previous students in your program or online and let that influence your decision. If you go all ebooks maybe be prepared to switch up if you find it is not for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Thanks for the input! I think I am going to purchase the e-book package and if I decide I want physical copies of any of my books I will buy or rent them as I go, hopefully I can figure out how to use them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion