I've had a few breeds, Production Red, Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks, Jersey Giants, Black Australorps, Easter Eggers, A Cuckoo Marans and a silky. And with the exception of the silky, who was more pet than producer, the amount of eggs they lay really doesn't vary that much. I guess if I were selling eggs the differences would matter, but if you have more than five hens you'll easily have enough eggs for a family of two (Three if you don't like your kids much). Currently I have a production red, a Black Australorp, Cuckoo Marans and 7 Easter Eggers and I average 7-9 eggs a day.
As for personality (I'm assuming they are going to do double duty as "pets that make your breakfast"), then the friendliest I have had were the Easter Eggers and the Australorps. Easter Eggers though can vary wildly, due in part to their mixed nature. I have one that's so flighty she won't let me get within 5 feet of her, another that squats a my feet whenever I enter the pen and won't let me in until I reach down and pet her (lush!). All are nice though.
