Partial Mash-
partial mash is what got me started, I mean you can stove top it. I think the only piece of equipment that I use for partial mash I don't use for AG brewing is my original stock pot, which cost me like $20. I've done a few AG batches, but I still do PM when I don't feel like making the effort for AG or when I'm teaching people to home brew, its just a simpler process IMHO. You can always upgrade from PM to AG by adding in equipment later. As for flavor profiles, yeah, you can potentially get better flavor from all grain, but if you have a recipe thats 50% or more two-row, I don't really see the problem with replacing that with an unhopped light malt extract, maybe I'll find out when I do my blonde ale PM I've previously done AG.
If your eventual plan is to go AG, then I guess just go AG, but if youre goal is making great beer, go PM first, then AG later. 14lbs of grain gets a lot heavier when it's wet!