I am currently using a Draytek 2100VG router, which has been an excellent performer for the last couple of years. The only problem was file sharing over a wireless network which required an obscure telnet command to the router, which resolved the issue. As for Apple, they actually do have some nice well thought out and nicely designed bits of kit, but a premium price is required. The AirPort Extreme Base Station costs £139 in the UK but for the same cost a SME grade router such as the Draytek Vigor 2820 Series ADSL Router is available.

http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor2820.html

With features such as Wireless N, direct dual VOIP phone connection ports, 3G wireless support, load balancing multiple WAN connections (ADSL + Ethernet cable etc) this is a router where keeping the internet connection alive vastly outperforms the Apple Airport Extreme in terms of capability if a telephone line goes down or the service provider decides not to give broadband anymore because the service provider has made a screw up. Apple even have short changed folks out of a LAN port having just 3 rather than 4. The Apple Airport Extreme Router sure looks pretty though and wouldn't be out of place sat next to the wide screen TV