Mesh is important for the use of appliers, a higher level of pixel details.... way over the 1024x1024 ppi
I'm a illustrator/digital drawer in SL. For SL mesh is a new revolution.
Mesh is new standard that already took place in other well known 3D app's or even games (The Sims).
Give it some time, all you will change very quick to it. And after you did, there is no way back, I promise you this.