as a beginner I would use the MH. Italians are simply the most prevalent type of EHB, they are HUGE egg layers which can save a new beek after an accident or two, supercedures, adding or subtracting frames for other hives etc, and they are easier to maintain in the spring(less swarming). They do get more mites, need more stores for winter, but IMO easier to mainatin in the long run for a beginner. I am glad I started w/ MH's and not russians as the extra brood and eggs sure saved some of my hives a time or two..