Hard Cover vs. Softcover? Which do you prefer? and Why?

[TheQuestionMan]

Hard Cover vs. Softcover? Which do you prefer? and Why?

I prefer Soft Covers because they are easier to transport, store, and are cheaper. And you may not believe it, but the recent Hard Covers do not seem as well constructed as later versions. Pages fall our, spine falls apart, and covers seem more vulnerable to damage in my experience.



What about you?

QM

[gamerz123]

I prefer Soft Covers because they are easier to transport, store, and are cheaper.

Same here as far as print books.

However, I am moving over to .pdf for just about all the non-rules books these days (particularly character/monster folios and scenarios.) Makes sense from an environmental, expense, and weight standpoint.

[Old Man]

Hardcover does more damage when it hits.

[Lightning91]

Hard Cover - I typically can afford the extra expense, rarely travel with my books, and I tend to be extremely obsessive about the first scratch, bend, or blemish. Hard Cover tends to hold up better.

[ghost-angel]

Hardcover as a blunt weapon.

Softcover as prefered reading material for hardcopy.

PDF as prefered transportation method, though I'm just now getting into building up my PDF library.


(Anyone got a Hardcover Pulp Hero they'd be willing to part with? I have money!)

[Nolgroth]

I am going for the oddball vote of PDFs. I like having the ability to carry all of my resources on a USB thumb drive or on the laptop hard drive. That way I can quickly reference both the book and page I want.

For a book that is more than just a reference, like Turakian Age, I might prefer an actual hard copy, but then it makes no difference between soft and hard cover. The only thing I prefer to be hardcover are novels.

[Sketchpad]

I like a nice Hardcover main book, followed by inexpensive softcovers and pdfs

[Lord Mhoram]

I general prefer Softcover mostly due to pricepoint. I prefer larger or the core book to be hardcover, because it will last longer, but for sourcebooks, softcover is fine. I also prefer B&W interiors as opposed to color for exactly the same reason.

[Thag13]

I like hardcovers for base rule books I refer to alot, but soft covers are fine for worldbooks or "Ultimate" books of reference that I dont need every day.

I am slowly using some PDFs, I need more memory for my laptop to make them a bit more readable, but I could see at some point going all PDf and just using my laptop. but sometimes, I just want to sure the non volitile method of data storage.

[archermoo]

Softcovers all the way. Easier to use, easier to transport. PDFs are nice two, and have the advantage of searchability. But overall I prefer softcover books.

[Vondy]

I prefer electronic format. I do like to have a hard-copy for core rulebooks, however. For those I generally prefer a hard-cover.

[Spence]

Softcovers except for a collector copy that stays on the shelf un-used. I have found that for gaming books my softcovers have outlasted all of my hardcovers under use. With weight, size, and durability I have to go with Softcover.

As for PDF's, I will always buy print if available. I buy PDF's if it is the only way I can get it or to print "game aids". For instance I bought both the print and PDF of Masterminds And Madmen. The book to read and use, the PDF to print out the villian I used in the game. I like to write on the NPC's sheet as the game progresses, this way I can just make a new copy anytime I need to.

[NestorDRod]

I, too, prefer softcovers for their lower price and weight.

Although PDFs are nice, I find it difficult to read them since I do most of my rulebook reading in the bathroom and the computer doesn't fit very well between the tub and the sink.

[Log-Man]

Hardcover all the way for me. They just look and feel nice, and the durability is (usually) much higher.

[Yesman]

softcover. I hate the way hardcovers feel in my hands.