Convenience and drug stores are usually within a three-mile radius of your home. Jumping into the car and driving to the store and back takes less then fifteen minutes. Then you are able to sit down on your couch, stretch out your legs, and enjoy the newest New York Times Bestseller. The person in the apartment above you though hasn’t left their home, and is waiting for their iPad to download the same book. 40 minutes later, they have downloaded 1/3 of the book, while you are 35 pages into chapter one.

These days the choice of whether to purchase a book for your e-reader of a book to flip through the pages is a challenge for people. Looking more directly into the two choices you have to consider file size, actual space occupied on the bookshelf, the “get-it-now” factor, and the general availability online.

Size

File size and space occupied is the most reasonable spot to start. Do you have a large hard drive to download all of your favorite books on to your iPad or your Kindle? Or do you have an entire library where there is plenty of space to add to? If you live in a studio apartment, then a book format might not be the best idea for you.

Availability

Sometimes when wanting to read a book, people often choose the “get-it-now” option. Downloading it might be the key, or if you are out and roaming around town, then stopping by your local bookstore might be easiest.

Money

With magazines, music, and books, prices can vary between online downloads, online swapping, and in-store purchases. Often online prices are less expensive because you are paying less for the overhead cost. Swapping sites exist nowadays where you can trade books for free while only paying for the postage to mail it.

Size, immediate availability, and money are some of the most important factors when deciding whether you want to download immediately or run to the store and purchase. Some people like the smell of the pages of their books and magazines, some people want to be able to read three or four different books on a plane without having to bring an extra suitcase. It just all depends on the user.