Hopped extract cans are really nasty, stay away from them. But there's nothing wrong with DME powder. Or fresh LME. Together with a couple ounces of real hops in pellet or leaf form, you can brew some really good beer. Keep the fermentation temperature lowish; Google "swamp cooler," or be inventive with your "environment."
The beauty of extract brewing is simplicity, minimal equipment needs, and using mostly what's in your home already. Partial mash can be done in a couple pots in the oven, together with a large strainer lined with a grain bag.
All-grain is cheaper on ingredients, particularly when you can buy whole sacks or participate in bulk buys. But AG also needs more equipment, and that in larger sizes, since you'll need to deal with the full volume over at least 2 vessels at a time. And a heat source that can boil that volume. BIAB is a great alternative to conventional mashing, but you still need a large kettle, and it can be messy dealing with a drippy hot bag.
IMO there is little sense in doing batches under 2.5-3 gallons. For all the time and effort that goes into brewing a batch, you'll want to end up with enough good beer to drink and share with others. Even 5 gallons turns out to be smallish in that regard. I find myself brewing the same (5 gal) recipes over and over again...