I bought a Macbook Pro this year and got the unlimited tech support so I went online and looked up as much as I could with regards to your question here is what I found for each I hope it helps for you in making your decision, from the reading I am thinking the Airport looks a little safer by having to enter the WEP# but that is my opinion:
AirPort 5.0 Help
Setting up your AirPort network
Use the Wireless pane to set options for your wireless network.
Wireless options include:
Creating a new wireless network or participating in a Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
Giving your network a name. This is the name that appears in the AirPort status menu in the menu bar on computers using Mac OS X, and above the wireless network icon in the task bar on computers using Windows XP.
Setting the radio mode. Choose the frequency for your wireless network that is the most compatible with computers joining your network. If you expect computers that use 802.11b or 802.11g to join your network, choose “802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)” from the Radio Mode pop-up menu. If you expect computers that use 802.11a to join your network, choose “802.11n (802.11a compatible).” If you expect only computers using 802.11n to join your network, choose either “802.11n only (2.4GHz)” or “802.11n only (5 GHZ)” from the Radio Mode pop-up menu.
Choosing a channel for your network. In most cases, using the Automatic setting is the most efficient, though there may be instances when you want to choose a specific channel for your network. If you are using 802.11n only, in the 5 gigahertz (GHz) range, you cannot set your channels manually.
Password-protecting your network. Choose WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2 Personal, WPA or WPA2 Enterprise, or choose WEP (Transitional Security Network) depending on the base station you are setting up, and the capabilities of wireless client computers that will join your network.
Setting additional wireless options. Click Wireless Options to set the multicast rate, transmit power, region, create a closed network, and turn on interference robustness. If your base station supports it, and you are using the 802.11n only (5 GHz) radio mode, you can also select to use wide channels, which provide higher data throughput in your network.
About networking in Mac OS X
You can use Mac OS X to connect to the Internet and to other computers on a network from home, school, work, or public “hotspots,” such as cafes and airports.
You can connect to the Internet using a DSL or cable modem, with an AirPort wireless connection, or with a telephone modem. You can connect to other computers or networks using Ethernet, FireWire, or AirPort.
In order for your computer to connect to the Internet or to a network, it needs a connection method (wired or wireless), and network settings appropriate to the network or the Internet service you’re using. If you are connecting to the Internet, you may also need an account with an Internet service provider (ISP), or with the “hotspot” you are connecting to. Typically these settings include a user name or user account, a password, a phone number if you are making a dial-up connection, and other settings, depending on your ISP or network.
If you don’t know what settings you need to use, ask your ISP or network administrator.