Couldn't find the upgrade chart because I'm logged in to the store it only shows me what my costs are. But there was a chart before that showed upgrade pricing. 
 
So just thought I'd toss this in. You may also be looking to purchase an Audio Interface. You'll want one to use Sonar in it's full glory. 
If so, buy a Tascam interface  and you'll get a free copy of SonarX3 LE. Register it and you will be able to use that for a discount upgrade price on any version. Myself this knocked $150 off. Not bad when a Tascam us 2x2 costs the same.. Your getting your interface for free. 

thanks...i have some nice AI.. great tip though.
 

Support for this forum is bar none the best on the net.
With that being said, tech support for Cakewalk leaves just a little bit to be desired.
 
I have been one of the people who have vowed for Cakewalk even when many were putting them down.
You really shouldn't need tech support unless its an issue with registration, authorization.
This forum pretty much does almost everything in terms of explanation of features and detail.
With that said, no one should have to wait on registration issues, not even more than a day or 2.
 

In addition to interactive support in the forum, Sonar comes with a 58 page PDF User Guide to get one started and a 2,188 (!) page Reference Guide. Good way to get correct answers to many questions. That page count reflects the depth and strength of Sonar features. Online electronic help files are constantly updated and accessible from inside Sonar. 
 
From experience, I also highly recommend the educational videos available at Groove3.com. They have about 9 multi-part video courses covering various editions of Sonar, and there is much to learn even from the ones focusing on earlier versions. They are currently having a sale on their All Access annual pass, which, in my opinion, is the very best way to take advantage of their constantly updated offerings (covering quite a breadth of topics beyond Sonar).

rwheeler
 
From experience, I also highly recommend the educational videos available at Groove3.com. They have about 9 multi-part video courses covering various editions of Sonar

I prefer the SWA Videos myself.
They cover Sonar a little bit more in depth than Groove 3 does.

rwheeler
In addition to interactive support in the forum, Sonar comes with a 58 page PDF User Guide to get one started and a 2,188 (!) page Reference Guide. 

OK Blood in the water. And another weakness of Cakewalk support. When was the Reference Guide last updated? New features are being continuously added, to the program but not to the Reference Guide. Before everyone piles on with how the web based documentation is up to date, tell me how to do a keyword search of the online format. or how to read it from a Kindle with no internet connection.. The general web search then filter to documentation seems to provide only a subset of the results from a word search of the pdf. The index to the web help is terrible, and the table of contents is only useful if you already know where to find something. 
 
edit: The pdf has been updated
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3533029
 

The help file can do searches. It is up to date with each update.  

In terms of users helping other users, this forum is the best. You will not only get help with setting up and tackling technical issues, but you will get lot of great advice on how to make music. I do think this is a special place in that regard.

wow folks all of you know your stuff and quite kind. which is what i need!
I auditioned the cubase forum and only 1 person got back to me..which is fine, but more opinions are helpful.
 
speaking of  cubase which would it matter for a beginner (but with lots of music knowledge and some daw) to gravitate towards cubase or cake walk?
 
i think i can get educational discounts on both?
 
although i am a little bit weary of calkwalk support this forum speaks with confidence!

Both DAWs are great. Cubase is a full and very complete DAW so is Sonar. Its a matter of DAW philosophies. They are different as to the approach to MIDI and audio. The outcome is the same. 
 
I used Cubase SX1 2 and 3 but I always came back to Sonar. When Cubase 4 came out I didn't upgrade to it. I stuck with Sonar only. Why you may ask? It is a simple reason Sonar is easier to use for 90 % of the things I do most often. It is also nondestructive in its approach. Its also modular even though this is never talked about. Take the best attributes of Samplitude and Cubase remove tedious and convoluted ways of doing something and you wind up with Sonar.  
 
Even though CW is going to offer a Mac version Sonar is Windows oriented. Its integrated into the Windows OS more than any other DAW. Also CW has a very good working relationship with MS. If you are used to Windows programs Sonar will seem logical and consistent with the Windows way of doing things. You'll feel at home.