1.) You get into the game faster.
2.) You still create your class, but you don't have to pick skill increases or anything. The class is created based on what you actually use. This was especially good for me because in Oblivion I would end up with 2 or 3 skills that I never used but it was hard to level up because you have to bring up major skills to level up, and now there's a couple not being used at all. Now I use what I need, and I get better.