re: Wireless Access Point Question

I tend to avoid modem/router combo units whenever possible for several reasons, but if you have no choice or want to use it anyway then you'll have to put it in passthrough mode if you get a mesh system because the mesh system will want to do the routing.

I don't have much experience with netgear stuff aside from setting up an Orbi system, so I can't really give any info about that. If you ask my advice on hardware then in your case I might suggest Ubiquiti's In-Wall AP for $99 or the WiFi6 version for $179. These mount right to the 1-gang box where your ethernet cable comes out for a slick install and work as a WAP as well as a small switch giving you multiple ethernet ports.