Besides the paper, what is the difference between a textbook and a tablet PC? By characteristics of construction, a book has two sides displaying twice the information at 
once; but, a book simply can’t surf the web, play music and video, and take notes (without damaging the book, of course!)
A new, innovative device was introduced a few months ago: The Kno, a dual-screen tablet PC. The most noticeable feature of the Kno is the dual screen, which opens and closes like a book. What defines this device is the software that the company plans to include with these devices, allowing you to highlight books, add comments and notes, and exchange this information and receive it from friends and instructors. Further plans allow study programs to help students to study and prepare for tests.
(‘Kno’ is pronounced ‘Know’, as in “I know something you don’t”)
The real advantage of this device, for any college student, revolves around the textbook itself. Textbooks are big and heavy, and very expensive. Digital textbooks have no weight by themselves, and are also much cheaper. Even digital books can be “rented” using special software, which is another feature this device plans to take advantage of.
As of yet, no price range has been announced publicly. Detailed hardware specifications 
have also not yet been released. The Kno will also be available in a single-screen version for reduced size (and will probably cost less).
Tablets MAY take over for textbooks when we solve a few important issues. First of all, the vendors HAVE TO AGREE ON A STANDARD. Second, there are some serious problems with abuse tolerance and general “robustness” of the hardware. WHY are we still putting GLASS into these things?
If it’s meant to replace a book, (or bookshelf for that matter.) I want to be able to bookmark, highlight and mark it with border notes. Also, lend it, give it away, and pass on a few paragraphs from time to time.
Also, since we have a computer here, after all, why couldn’t it be expected to take care of the references when a book or periodical is referenced or quoted in an article or term paper and send the proper info along with the copied text?
I love the concept of tablets and ebooks, but I don’t need cute page turning animations and the stuff I DO need isn’t quite available (allowed.) So in my opinion, they’re not ready to save the trees yet.
Sharing books is important to me as well, but it seems that these types of book-reading devices try their best to make sharing more and more difficult.
The Kno, I am very sorry to say, licensed its\’ hardware to Intel. Kno was developing its\’ own hardware for a very short amount of time, and a very few select lucky persons received the devices either as beta testers or the first few people who were able to buy one. The Kno could hightlight, mark with boarder-notes, and much more which is why I was so excited about this device. It is funny what takes off and what does not… I certainly hope that Intel will take and actually improve the design, while keeping the core aspects that made the Kno so innovative.