M9 Plus is available in Sri Computer Low Yat Plaza, RM899, can negotiate if pay by cash, I just got a set of it, but 2 problems, 1st is IPv6 not working, no matter Dynamic IP or PPPoE, statefull or stateless, maybe gonna wait them to fix. 2nd is too easy to switch to 2.4GHz, maybe all mesh systems got the same problem too

Coverage is amazing, especially 2.4GHz, QoS surprisingly good, 802.11k, v, r supported, Orbi and Velop only has 802.11k, v, no r supported. Ethernet backhaul supported, but 2nd 5GHz not available for clients, only for backhaul. US selling this set for USD299, Netgear Orbi RBK40 is USD230, in Malaysia, RM899 for M9 Plus, RBK40 RM1799, if you compare the price between M5 and M9 Plus, it should be more than RM1500 for M9 Plus, I think because TP-Link is trying to grab market share in Malaysia, especially in this turbo moment.

No support for 802.11 k, r and v which is a major drawback to me. They rely on their own roaming algorithm which may or may not work that well as it depends on the client device.

The only thing great with AiMesh is the performance as their routers have some seriously powerful radio which typical off the shelf mesh system lacks.

Of course, you get the full ASUSWRT features if you are into that.
There is AP mode on the M9 Plus. I like the 802.11r support but it is not enabled by default, you need to enable it on the app.

If you intend to run it as a router, mind that it doesn't support HyppTV at the moment. If you already have a good setup on the Mikrotik, I feel AP mode is the way to go.

You will lose out the app control which is rather intuitive but if you use Mikrotik, you probably not into that.

Yes you can have 2 options, router mode or AP mode, both r supported, can select it while setting up, choose it from the apps.  RM870 for 2 X M9 Plus, that's the price I got for cash paying.