Is there any benefit to these P2P pools I see shouted out?
There are numerous benefits
1) You get paid directly to your wallet and instantly after the p2pool network finds a block. You do not have to trust the MPOS Pool operator with your payouts, anymore..!
2) You get 0.5% bonus over the standard PPLNS Payout if you find a block
3) The P2pool network is DDOS resistant, you do not lose your shares. If a P2pool goes down for maintainance and you join a another p2pool.. your shares are saved and will be paid for!
4) P2pools have an anti Pool-hopping mechanism. New Miners must go through around 12 hours of mining to get the first payout. That means the difficulty in the p2pool that your mining in will not swing left and right...
5) Check out Whatisp2pool.com for more info.. im bound to be missing some good points