All I need is FTP and a database, either auto-created or the ability to create one. After that I can pretty much to everything I need to in PHP. So cPanel or no, doesn't bother me.
My wife gave me a cotton candy machine for Christmas one year. It's great. The kids love it. I honestly can't remember any of the other gifts I received that year. Cotton candy, elephant ears and waffle cones are the only reason I go to a county fair.