Debating a Necro (or Mage): A few questions

[serjordanmormont]

I want to create a pet class and am leaning toward necro, but I'm wondering if I may be better off just going with a mage.

I'm partial to a necro based on seemingly better utility options and DoTs which all sound like fun, but am not keen on being evil. I also have no interest in being an Iksar which is apparently the best (and in some opinions, the only) race to be.

Is there any way to be a less hated necro off the bat? Would being a human, gnome, or Erudite help? I don't mind faction farming but would prefer to be at least, less hated.

Additionally, how easy is it to get decent low level gear for either? I'm told the flayed skin for a necro is pretty solid and can take me up through higher levels. Is this gear expensive?

Can anybody confirm if the experience penalty for a necro still in play?

For the mage is the class as straightforward as it seems to be. Send pet in to tank, throw a nuke or two and a damage shield on and sit/med and watch?