marled
I have read someone writing in this thread that probably he does not need the "pro" version of a DAW.

That was me, I think.

marled
I think it would be very helpful to collect all the arguments that are important and then create an overview of the DAWs listed in this poll.

I would argue that, at the end of the day, you need to think about what you need it for and how you work.
I was happily using Sonar Studio 8.5 for years before an offer came along a few years back to get a ridiculously low price on the new Sonar Artist. After getting that, another offer came along to upgrade to lifetime SPLAT. Over the course of a few years I went from Studio 8.5 to SPLAT, but my working method didn't change that much. So, now that I'm considering moving onto another DAW, I've made a check-list of what I need it for.
 
What do I use the DAW for:

• I record guitar and vocals - I could do that on a freeware. Wavefom 8 and Presonus have free versions which could do that.
• I use the Softsynths and VST instruments - even with the huge array of synths and instruments in SPLAT, I still find myself going back to the few top notch instruments I bought seperately, such as Native Instruments pianos and BFD. Hell, I even prefer to use my old Trilogy bass rather than the numerous bass mods and synths that have come bundled over the years. The one instrument I do use again and again is Addictive Drums 2, which I can use in any other DAW as it has a seperate license. Not dissing Samplitude, but when I dug deep into the bundled instruments (auditioning them and listening to samples), there was nothing that would replace or surpass what I already own. It's a huge bundle for the money, but if you don't need it, it's just bloatware.
• I use FX - Most of the effects can be used in other DAWs. Even some that I believed would be locked to Sonar are usable in Reaper, so do I need anymore fx? Probably not. I keep going back to the same Fx again and again, while others gather dust. I tried out Presonus Sudio 3 and really liked the fx. don't know if I need them more than the ones I use though.
• I record live music and repair sound - this is something that I've always done outside of SPLAT. I used Cool Edit 2 for years which has spectral views and cleaning fx, then I got Izotope products which also have stand alone versions, and recently I upgraded to Sound Forge 12. Spectral Layers looks amazing, but I just don't need all the bells and whistles, and, as many others have said, I'll probably use it to 50% of its ability. I rarely get paid for this work; I do it as a favour. I cannot justify a costly outlay.
• I'm a hobbiest musician - though I have released records; had music on radio and TV; even done a soundtrack; I am essentially a hobbiest, not a pro. I work on a laptop with an Intel i5, 8GB Ram and use an old Edirol Firewire FA-101. If I upgrade to a Ferrari, I will essentially be running it with a Fiat Panda's engine. As such, I cannot justiy the outlay, or the SSD space, for a super DAW. SPLAT was a luxury. I should probably upgrade the computer before I upgrade the DAW. Also, I've found that some DAWs just don't sit well on a laptop screen. They are designed for split screens (and rightly so).

So after weighing up all these options, I have decided to stick with what I can for now, have Reaper as a back-up just in case, and upgrade some instruments instead. Hell! I could even go back to working on Sonar 8.5 if worst comes to worst:D
I've personally got to be realistic instead of impulse buying. Those of you who do music  production for a living will have other needs which require more serious upgrades, others of you who are musicians and make bedroom recordings will have smaller budgets and needs, but perhaps high expectations. I've been doing music for a loooong time (I started out on a Tascam 4 track and recorded my first few singles on a Roland digital 8 track), and I know that tech changes, styles change, tastes in fx change (think of a the lo-fi craze of 20 odd years back when everyone WANTED tape hiss). I would suggest everyone just think about their personal needs and budgets and stop listening to the 'unpaid' publicists who tell you that this or that DAW is the best. Ultimately, if you buy the DAW that everyone is using this summer, it is still YOU who has to use it.

burgerproduction
 
I would argue that, at the end of the day, you need to think about what you need it for and how you work.
I was happily using Sonar Studio 8.5 for years before an offer came along a few years back to get a ridiculously low price on the new Sonar Artist. After getting that, another offer came along to upgrade to lifetime SPLAT. Over the course of a few years I went from Studio 8.5 to SPLAT, but my working method didn't change that much. So, now that I'm considering moving onto another DAW, I've made a check-list of what I need it for.
 
What do I use the DAW for:

• I record guitar and vocals - I could do that on a freeware. Wavefom 8 and Presonus have free versions which could do that.
• I use the Softsynths and VST instruments - even with the huge array of synths and instruments in SPLAT, I still find myself going back to the few top notch instruments I bought seperately, such as Native Instruments pianos and BFD. Hell, I even prefer to use my old Trilogy bass rather than the numerous bass mods and synths that have come bundled over the years. The one instrument I do use again and again is Addictive Drums 2, which I can use in any other DAW as it has a seperate license. Not dissing Samplitude, but when I dug deep into the bundled instruments (auditioning them and listening to samples), there was nothing that would replace or surpass what I already own. It's a huge bundle for the money, but if you don't need it, it's just bloatware.
• I use FX - Most of the effects can be used in other DAWs. Even some that I believed would be locked to Sonar are usable in Reaper, so do I need anymore fx? Probably not. I keep going back to the same Fx again and again, while others gather dust. I tried out Presonus Sudio 3 and really liked the fx. don't know if I need them more than the ones I use though.
• I record live music and repair sound - this is something that I've always done outside of SPLAT. I used Cool Edit 2 for years which has spectral views and cleaning fx, then I got Izotope products which also have stand alone versions, and recently I upgraded to Sound Forge 12. Spectral Layers looks amazing, but I just don't need all the bells and whistles, and, as many others have said, I'll probably use it to 50% of its ability. I rarely get paid for this work; I do it as a favour. I cannot justify a costly outlay.
• I'm a hobbiest musician - though I have released records; had music on radio and TV; even done a soundtrack; I am essentially a hobbiest, not a pro. I work on a laptop with an Intel i5, 8GB Ram and use an old Edirol Firewire FA-101. If I upgrade to a Ferrari, I will essentially be running it with a Fiat Panda's engine. As such, I cannot justiy the outlay, or the SSD space, for a super DAW. SPLAT was a luxury. I should probably upgrade the computer before I upgrade the DAW. Also, I've found that some DAWs just don't sit well on a laptop screen. They are designed for split screens (and rightly so).

So after weighing up all these options, I have decided to stick with what I can for now, have Reaper as a back-up just in case, and upgrade some instruments instead. Hell! I could even go back to working on Sonar 8.5 if worst comes to worst:D
I've personally got to be realistic instead of impulse buying. Those of you who do music  production for a living will have other needs which require more serious upgrades, others of you who are musicians and make bedroom recordings will have smaller budgets and needs, but perhaps high expectations. I've been doing music for a loooong time (I started out on a Tascam 4 track and recorded my first few singles on a Roland digital 8 track), and I know that tech changes, styles change, tastes in fx change (think of a the lo-fi craze of 20 odd years back when everyone WANTED tape hiss). I would suggest everyone just think about their personal needs and budgets and stop listening to the 'unpaid' publicists who tell you that this or that DAW is the best. Ultimately, if you buy the DAW that everyone is using this summer, it is still YOU who has to use it.

Excellent post.