Yep, I hope anyone considering a smoker thinks of all the options available, as well as think about what they actually want to use it for.
As mentioned, charcoal, offsets, various DIY contraptions, and even electric smokers (check out the Cookshack Smokettes) can all make great food.
I'm not a fan of the cheapo smokers, but as already mentioned, there are folks that can make good food on them. Even my mom has been making great Q on her Electric Brinkman I bought her for xmas 5 years ago for $60.