We received an e-book reader (Nook Color) for Christmas. A friend suggested that we need a router in order to enjoy the e-book. How do we determine which router to get (what brand, what model)? Your suggestions will be appreciated. — Jim Skillings, East Millcreek

First of all, welcome to the world of e-books, a segment of personal electronics that has been exploding in the past year. You'll soon find out how convenient it is to carry hundreds of books with you in just one device.

The other wonderful feature about e-readers is that you can purchase a book from just about anywhere by connecting to the bookstore wirelessly and downloading it instantly.

Having said that, you don't need to be connected to the Internet wirelessly to purchase e-books and load them into your Nook.

You actually can buy the books on Barnes & Noble's website (at www.barnesandnoble.com) on a computer first, then sync them to the Nook by connecting the device to the computer. After the book is saved to the computer's hard drive, you just have to drag and drop the file to your Nook when it's connected. It's not as elegant as wirelessly downloading your books straight to the device, but it does work.

As for choosing a router — the device that sends and receives an Internet signal for wireless devices — the method for finding the best one depends on factors like where it will be placed and what devices will be connected to it. My best advice is to use trial and error.

About six months ago, I wanted the fastest wireless N-router with the best possible range, and I didn't find it until I went through four or five routers from Best Buy that I kept buying and returning.

I've found that different brands of routers have radically different antenna designs. What I did — and it's not exactly the easiest way to determine the best router — was buy a different model, hook it up and then test it with all of my mobile devices by running speed tests.

What I settled for was a Netgear N600 Dual Band Gigabit Router ($159), which seemed to be the best option for my home layout and for my specific wireless devices.

Whatever you choose, I recommend getting an 802.11n router (the fastest kind) since most current wireless devices support that protocol. You can also spend a little more for a dual-band router that operates on 5 GHz as well as 2.4 GHz frequencies, if you think you have cordless phones or a microwave oven that might interfere with the router's signal.

Once you get it hooked up, you'll be able to download books at will without having to get up from your couch!

If you have a tech question for Vince Horiuchi, e-mail it to him at ohmytech@sltrib.com.