I have an electric one. It is the size of a minifridge and is basically an oven with a woodbox and a chimney. It is really REALLY easy to use, and you don't have to babysit it. I have mine in the garage. I don't know if you can set it outside.
But it is NOT a smoker in the sense of true KC BBQ. I can make some really good BBQ, but if your joy comes from manipulating the flame, and genuinely smoking the food, a charcoal unit is the way to go. I would anticipate that a gas unit would be the same type of thing, easy and good BBQ, but not the real thing.
There is some good information in
this thread that that I started when I got mine. It also talks a little in there about what types of smokers guys use.
I definitely enjoy my electric, but if you are looking for the experience, and to a small degree taste of a charcoal unit, electric isn't for you.