Pros and cons for online and print media

By BECKY ATKINSON
Edited by ASHLEY CARROLL

Online Media
Kindle, Sony Reader, eBooks, smartphones, other Internet capable devices


A University student reads The Red & Black on his iTouch before class



Pros

• Individual books/articles are cheaper
• More economical
• Fast downloads of reading material
• Portable

Cons

• Eye strain
• Extreme initial expense
• Hard to annotate
• Battery powered
• Black and white pictures

Print Media
Books, newspapers, magazines

A University student reads the printed version of The Red & Black

Pros

• Tangible
• Familiar
• Easy to annotate
• Not battery powered; won’t be ruined if liquid is spilled nearby
• Colored pictures

Cons

• Take up lots of space
• Not environmentally friendly
• Not as easily accessible