At first I thought the Start Screen was pointless.  Now I really like it.
 
I do think instead of two different ways to create a new project for each of the cases with and without PPA is silly.  Seems to me a single point for creating a new project that offers the choice of template use and PPA would make much more sense.
 

I love the start screen.
I work off project templates 99% of the time.
These templates include pre project folders, 24 bit / 48 HZ and are filled with a basic slot of tracks I most often use.
I have approx. 20 templates. A different tool for each job.

BobF
...I do think instead of two different ways to create a new project for each of the cases with and without PPA is silly.  Seems to me a single point for creating a new project that offers the choice of template use and PPA would make much more sense.

 
I agree.

chuckebaby
...I work off project templates 99% of the time...

 
I used to always use the same custom template that I kept gradually tweaking. But since upgrading to Platinum I have not yet got round to thinking about updating this template. Still on my list though.

When the Start Screen first appeared, I dimly recall Cakewalk indicating that they left the original functionality of project creation in place, on purpose - (and as an alternative to the Start Screen), to allow folks who didn't want the Start Screen to continue to create projects the way they were used to.
 
Bob Bone
 

There is one other way a new project may be created in SONAR; when "On Startup Load the Default Template" is enabled in Preferences > File > Advanced. This is functionally the same and CTRL+N.