Q: My internet is extremely slow, my cable modem isn't the problem, and they indicated it could be my router. I have an Apple Airport router. Is there a way to check if this is the problem?

Since the cable company will always tell you that the "connection looks good", it is a good idea to verify that for yourself, if you have not already done so.

Just connect your Mac directly to the modem, check the download speed that way, and note the results. If you do not have an application to test the connection speed, you can use something like this:

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

Then, connect the modem to your router normally, and then connect the Mac to one of the LAN <-> Ethernet ports and check that way, and note the results. This should be about the same speed, or a bit less than the direct connection to the modem.

Then, power off the router and power it back up and try a wireless connection with the Mac relatively close to the router. You should see about 80-90% of the speed that you noted when the Mac was connected directly to the modem and the router using an Ethernet connection.

Make sure that there are no cordless phones anywhere near the router or Mac when you test the wireless connection.

Post back on your results.