For less than $100, you get the same core audio engine, the Sampler Track, and modern 64-bit stability. No dongle required (Steinberg Licensing).
The 5.5.2 update addressed critical stability and performance issues, particularly for users on 64-bit systems: System Stability
Users even found their own "manual patches," like renaming preset folders to fix missing RoomWorks reverb sounds. Cubase 7.0.5 is great. Thank You Steinberg.