If you were buying all your equipment again...

[Acebird]

Nothing matters for hobby guys. You can let Beesource cover any issues no matter what you choose.

[spunky]

Go all deeps
1/2 pierco black waxed, 1/2 wood with starter strips and wire
built hive top feeders and axed the boardmen feeders
Utilize deep nucs more for swarm traps and queens

[Tia]

All mediums, 10-frame, natural comb, no plastic, inner and telescoping covers, screened bottom board (which I never close except for mite counts), and definitely, DEFINITELY slatted racks.

[Laurence Hope]

It probably won't make much difference. You most likely will change your mind once or twice in the next few years. I did, and each of the smaller beekeepers that I deal with did also. Go for what you think and see what happens.