you should definitely try the demo (x2 at the mo) but it'll give you a good idea of the differences (the gui!!)

If you can use 8.5 with its 'challenging' interface, you'll have no trouble learning X3. Go for it.

Minority Report: for this user, the answer is "no". I am not limited in any way by 8.5. It's a DAW, not a fashion statement.
 
OTOH, Cakewalk needs the money.

Jumping from 8.5 to X3 - Worth It?

 
Yes.
For me it was.

don't forget the ymmv ;-)

Roo Stercogburn
If you can use 8.5 with its 'challenging' interface, you'll have no trouble learning X3. Go for it.

Shows that we're all different - the console view in X series although now improved by the return of custom colours is still worse than 8.5 and one of the main reasons I have avoided X anything so far.
 
Now that it is possible to make it look not quite so horrible and even though the fx bins and such still suck on narrow strips view, I am actually  tempted this time, but retailers here (UK) still seem to have no info at all on when box set upgrades will be available. I have spoken to several and assuming they speak the truth, they seem to have been left completely in the dark, which seems very poor for a product that was released nearly a month ago. One of them didn't even know it was out. More worryingly, a vey large retailer near me has just stopped stocking Gibson products because they say that their delivery times / reliabilty of deliveries is just plain awful and they are fed up with having to tell customers that ...." erm no, it still hasn't arrived" . Hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

I'm still on X2, but the jump from 8.5 was incredibly freeing for me.  The new skylight interface (reason for all the "learning curve" comments) solved every problem I've ever had with DAW recording.  
 
+1 on watching the "transitioning" and "getting started" videos... even the ones from transitioning to X2, since they will help your understanding of the new interface and the different way of dealing with multiple takes.
 
Good luck!
 
Rob

I went from 8.5 to X1 on the day X1 was released. I've never looked back. I find X3 to be very solid.
 
I do agree with the recommendation to try the demo of X2. There were several people who really did not take to the X series and you might be one of them.
 
Regards,

paulo

Roo Stercogburn
If you can use 8.5 with its 'challenging' interface, you'll have no trouble learning X3. Go for it.

Shows that we're all different - the console view in X series although now improved by the return of custom colours is still worse than 8.5 and one of the main reasons I have avoided X anything so far.
 
Now that it is possible to make it look not quite so horrible and even though the fx bins and such still suck on narrow strips view, I am actually  tempted this time, but retailers here (UK) still seem to have no info at all on when box set upgrades will be available. I have spoken to several and assuming they speak the truth, they seem to have been left completely in the dark, which seems very poor for a product that was released nearly a month ago. One of them didn't even know it was out. More worryingly, a vey large retailer near me has just stopped stocking Gibson products because they say that their delivery times / reliabilty of deliveries is just plain awful and they are fed up with having to tell customers that ...." erm no, it still hasn't arrived" . Hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

its hard to give an honest opinion of this software by just looking at it.
specially with all the changes now, VST 3 being the largest IMO
8.5 cant even compare. x3 makes it look like a toy.

toys for boys