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Cost savings are all over place. Depends on what type of use is in question.
As pointed out, many people have to use all kinds of documentation and reference manuals all the time. Not to mention when making many revisions and having to print each time. Often toner savings alone can pay for even Iliad.
That being said, the mass market is about the general literature which today is mostly paperback. In this case we have many options:
1) new books are faily cheap around $10 (not hardcover, of course)
2) used books can be 2x 3x and 4x cheaper, so buck or two
3) library depending on how many books are borrowed and how much memebrship costs is often cheap, buck or two per book
4) borrowing from a friend is usually $0
So given all these options, most of which involve very low costs, it is difficult for any $300+ device to compete with them. So during a weak economy these devices will certainly not sell as well as before. Perhaps when their cost drops down to around $100 then their appeal might improve.
Also, as others pointed out, publising industry is not helping. The educational market is the worst. Due to very high margins you can expect the least availability of eBooks for educational uses. Although they make the most sense there and are very useful, the lack of content is/will block their use.
The bottom line is eReaders have a tough road ahead. They'll prosper but the sales volume will be volatile.
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