Versaware interviewed students from 63 colleges in 22 states, from two and four-year public and private institutions, with a wide range of subject majors. Eighty-seven percent responded that they believe eTextbooks could be more interesting than print books. Referring to the advantages eTextbooks offer, one student noted, "I'd get one for the convenience and features it offers. I especially like the idea of video and hyperlinks."

The survey started by documenting how much students already use the Internet. Forty-five percent spend more than 11 hours on the Web each week; more than 62% purchase merchandise online.

The survey also explored the specific features students want in eTextbooks. More than 70% of students surveyed said that the following eTextbook features would be "very important" in a decision to purchase:

-- Ability to instantly search and integrate information from anywhere on the web (75%)
-- Getting updates as publishers provide them (73%)
-- Not having to carry around heavy textbooks (72%)
-- Ability to do customized searches in one book or collections of books and papers (71%)
-- Ability to organize research in personally labeled binders (71%) -- Ability to highlight text (71%)