Columns work if you can see all of the column - screens are wide and short, books/mags are thin and deep.

A physical book has a ratio of exactly the opposite of your laptop. Amazon realised this quite quickly and you will note that their readers have a book shape.

Look at this web site (HN) which is used by some of the most vociferous nerds ever (including you and me) and tell me I am talking bollocks! Note the styles, layout, colours in use.

How far removed from white on black text, 1/3 screen width and teenager bedroom looks are we away from?