Can you read an ebook on your computer?

I'm currently looking to purchase a book that is available in hardcover or ebook. The ebook is considerably cheaper than the hardcover but I do not own a kindle or Ipad.

If I purchase the book, can I read this on my computer in.pdf format or on my iphone?

Just search and download a free ebook reader, there are mobile versions as well

Nook hd

For sure you can read ebooks on your computer or laptop.
there are some softwares like FBreader which is a ebook reader that you can use it (download link is bellow)
and there are also some apps for you iPhone too on Apple store that you can get them as well.

You can read ebook on any devices. Yes, included your computer.

If you're purchasing from Amazon, they give you a reader for your PC. They also provide free backup storage of any books you download.

You can simply install the "Kindle App" for PC to be able to read that book on your pc. Same goes for the iPhone, just download the Kindle app

Yes if it is a Kindle book, but it will not be PDF unless it happens to be a huge exact image textbook. If you get it at Amazon the ebook will probably be Amazon copy-protected (aka DRM-protected) ebook format and it will only be readable on Amazon's free reader software registered to the account that owns the ebook (if you buy it on your account then the reader must be registered to your account)

To read a Kindle book, install Amazon's free Kindle for PC reader software.
Or if you have a Mac, install their Mac software.
If you have a Linux computer, I don't know if they have a reader for Linux.

Here are Amazon's free Kindle Reader apps/software
http://www.amazon.com/...1000493771

Note - you can't print out any of the book.

Amazon also has an online reader for your account's purchased Kindle books at read.amazon.com (installs a plugin so you can log into your Amazon ebook cloud)

NOTE - I do not think there's a PC reader for Apple iBooks - they want you to buy their tablets.

Install Kindle for PC, read your kindle ebook in windows.