I'm a software developer as me day job but have landed a contract position to spec out and install the computer equipment for a small office.
Ease of use (easy installation, low maintenance and good support) is priority number one, it supersedes price by a wide margin. The installation we had in mind would support up to ten workstations.
I was originally going to go with Netgear hardware for firewall NETGEAR UTM25-100NAS and switch NETGEAR GS724T, but have been told Sonicwall firewalls are easier to configure, maintain and have a better track record.
If ease of use was priority number one, what hardware would you purchase for a firewall and a switch duties?
Update
I'm now looking at the Cisco Catalyst 500 line for switches. Seems straight forward and comes highly recommended. Still not certain which version Sonicwall to get, perhaps I should forego the extra purchase of a switch and get the NSA 2400MX?