Andrew Gross is a typical college freshman, excited to attend classes relevant to his interests and happily adjusting to sharing a dorm room with a fellow student.

But not all of Gross' (freshman-engineering) experiences so far at Penn State have been as positive.

"Between my brother and I, we spent $800 worth of books," Gross said. "I think it's ridiculous."

But relief could come soon, as publishers respond to the collective moans of college students by introducing cheaper Web books.

Pearson Education, an educational publishing company, introduced the Web book service last year, company spokesman David Hakensen said.

Web books are digitally formatted books that include text searching, book-marking capability and electronic note taking. "Students are comfortable with online delivery, price sensitive and increasingly looking for lower-cost alternatives to print textbooks," Hakensen said in an e-mail response.

Hakensen said Pearson Education offers 800 Web book titles at up to 50 percent off the hardcover price.

Tony Ta (junior-hotel and restaurant management) said the Web books could be more convenient than standard textbooks, especially for laptop owners. "Instead of carrying around five books, I'd only have to carry my laptop," Ta said.

Matthew Alford, general manager of Got Used Bookstore, 206 E. College Ave., said he would expect a spike in interest for the idea, followed by a decline as students realized the possible downside to online books.

"Can you imagine scrolling down page after page?" Alford said. "I would do all my studying sitting in my room. That's horrible."

Penn State Bookstore General Manager Tom Bauer agreed.

"It just seems more difficult," Bauer said. "You lose your conveniences."

Many students said although Web books seem to have many downfalls, they would try them for the cash break.

"It would make my eyes hurt staring at a screen but [I would try] anything to bring down the price," Gross said.

Bauer said the Penn State Bookstore does not carry Web books.

Alford said Got Used Bookstore has previously been contacted about offering Web books, but declined. "I'll let the bigger bookstores test it first," he said.

If not available via campus bookstores, a student can purchase Web books through the publisher's Web site, www.safarix.com, Hakensen said.

He added that Pearson Education is not disclosing subscription numbers.

Bauer said he acknowledges conventional textbook prices are high, but there are other ways around it, including buying used books and reselling them student-to-student.

Alford said he believes the price cuts could not compensate for the Web books' inconveniences. "It's still hard to get away from sitting with a book and a highlighter in the library," he said.