I have 6 & 7 and a whole bunch of standalone and EQ compatible software - Dear Jane, Farmer's Wife, BlockBase, Quilting Designs, Baltimore Album, etc.
If you like to work with computer graphics programs, you will like EQ just as much, because it contains a drawing program. You can draw pieced blocks with straight or curved seams or you can draw appliqued blocks with any shapes you can imagine. You can bring in your own paper sketches or a photo and use it as a guide for drawing, then discard the guide just like you'd use layers in graphics program.
If you want to be able to scan your own fabrics and create realistic mockups of a quilt, you will love this. Some fabric companies are already providing digital swatches of their fabrics - Connecting Threads, Moda, Andover and Northcott, that I know of. But EQ has an extensive library of fabrics as free downloads on their site, as well, and it's possible to at least match your fabric with one of the same overall color and value.
It's wonderful to be able to print so many helps from the program. Rotary cutting directions, cutting templates, foundation papers, applique templates, yardage charts, etc.
You can rotate blocks, make each one different, (as with a sampler) set them on point, set them with or without sashing, with or without borders, multiple borders, many types of borders, many types of layouts... it's a huge amount of fun. :)
The learning curve can be a little daunting but the program contains several videos that show you how to do some thing step by step. It's also got extensive help files and "How Do I?" topics - and it's got a web site with exhaustive information on a variety of EQ functions and projects.
If you design your own quilts or want to, EQ is such a huge help and so much fun that it makes up for the initial difficulty in learning. :)