Yes I'm the same (and at 57 nearly the same age!), I use a real board and pieces. But when I come up against something that I don't understand I'll switch on the PC and fire up the engine to try to find the answer. Admittedly I should probably try to work it out for longer than I do before reverting to technology, but that's because I'm impatient.
I still learn stuff this way, but I'm usually learning stuff that the book is assuming I already know rather than what it's trying to teach me. Sometimes it's just a shortcoming of the book of course, not uncommon if the book pre-dates decent engines.
I find that if I try to study a book that is too difficult then there will be moves that I do not understand, or there will be moves that I think refute the author's analysis that don't get a mention. Since we have engines available (which wasn't the case when I was young and really into chess) I can usually get to the bottom of what's going on, but I find I spend most of my time getting side-tracked in this way. Then I usually stop and think - maybe I should be looking at something easier.
I think everyone has their own way of studying, and whatever works for you is fine. Im 58 so im old school. I come from the era of books. I remember when i couldn't wait to get the next issue of Chess Informant. Now here is where i sound ole an old guy. As nice as technology is, I also think it makes people lazy. Sure its great having any study aid at your fingertips, but at the same time it makes us lazy. It seems like no one wants to use a real board, pieces, books, and a clock anymore. Just fire up the laptop and stare at a screen. I am a firm believer in simulating OTB tournament conditions as much as possible when studying. But to each his own.