Whether you’re an avid reader or someone who struggles to find time for reading, eBooks can be a boon for anyone who loves books. eBooks are digital editions of books stored in the cloud or on your device. eBooks eliminate the need to lug large volumes of books everywhere you go, making them ideal for frequent travelers, readers who prefer carrying fewer books and want access to their favorite titles wherever they are, and readers with hectic lifestyles that don’t give them much time to read.
But, have you ever encountered a PDF book? Want to see what it looks like? — Well, that’s simple, just visit PDF Drive. It actually has a massive collection of free downloadable PDF books with a broad array of genres to choose from. So how do eBooks differ from PDFs? They do have some differences but if you know what these are then using either one will be easy for you. Let’s take a look at some key features that differentiate the two so you know which format is right for your reading needs:
What Is A PDF File?
A PDF file is a digital file that can be opened and read using a program called a “reader.” The file’s format is not actually paper, but rather a computer file. The program opens the file, allowing you to view the content of the document, but unable to make any other alterations to the document. This file format is ideal for storing books, articles, and other documents that you want to make available to everyone.
It’s ideal for storing large amounts of information, as the document is not transformed into different bits and bytes like a webpage. This format is great for sharing documents with people, as anyone with the file format reader can view and make alterations to the content. It’s also useful for storing large amounts of information for long periods of time, as the information is not transformed into different bits and bytes like a webpage would be.
What Is An eBook?
An eBook is a digital file that allows readers to store, view, and make alterations to the content of an ebook. The file format of an eBook is not actually paper, but rather a computer file. This means that eBooks are portable and always available to you, wherever you go.
Unlike PDFs, eBooks are able to be transformed into many different formats, such as HTML, MOBI, and others. This format is ideal for reading on many different devices, as you can use the format that works best for you. Some eReaders only support one type of format (like PDF or ePub), while other eReaders allow you to choose your format.
Key Differences Between A PDF And An eBook
A PDF file format that is perfect for sharing large amounts of information. You can open and view the content of PDFs using a reader program. You can’t make any alterations to the content of a PDF, though, as the file format is not programmable. While an eBook file format allows you to store, view, and make alterations to the content of an ebook. Unlike PDFs, eBooks are always available to you, wherever you go. They can be read on a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and e-readers. Let’s see how every feature of it differs from the below:
• Portable – PDF books can be stored on any device and it’s also compatible with any software program. It can also be easily downloaded on online databases like PDF Drive. While eBooks can be accessed using any device but you need to download an e-reader to make it readable for you.
• Centralized – If a computer crashes, you can still access all of your PDF books especially when you keep them on cloud storage. On the contrary, if a computer crashes and you lose your eBook, you’ve lost all of it forever.
• Volume – A single PDF can be printed as many times as you want. A single eBook may only be printed once but oftentimes, you may not be able to print it due to copyright policy.
• File Size – A single PDF can be saved with a small file size. On the other hand, most eBook are between 1MB and 10MB in file size.
• Security – eBooks are typically not secure, as anyone with the file can view the content. PDFs can be secured to make the content viewable only by certain people.
Which Type Of Book Should You Read?
There’s no right or wrong answer to this, as it depends on your needs and interests. In general, though, eBooks are ideal for people who prefer an easy-to-carry format that can be read on a wide range of devices through an e-reader app.
PDFs, on the other hand, are ideal for people who want to share large amounts of information with others and need a file format that’s not programmable, meaning it can’t be transformed into different formats and is therefore always available to view. If you only occasionally need to share information and are fine reading on a single device then PDFs are probably the best option for you. Conversely, eBooks can be read on a wide range of devices, making them easier to transport.
Installing An eBook On Your Device Or Reading Online
Both eBooks and PDFs can be installed on your device so you can read them offline. With eBooks, you can either download them from an online store and read them from the e-reader or download them from a file-sharing site. With PDFs, you can also read them offline as they can be opened and read from anywhere even without an internet connection.
Conclusion
With so many benefits to each format and the ability to choose which one is best for you, you may find yourself wondering which one to go with. If you’re someone who prefers a more portable format that’s always available to you, then an eBook will be best for you. On the other hand, if you frequently need to share large amounts of information or have a need for a more programmable file format, then a PDF is the way to go.
