Every year Autodesk releases a new version of AutoCAD but, should you install it right away?
Through my experiences as a CAD Manager and now as a Application Specialist my suggestion is to wait for the 3rd release of the current file format. What does this mean? Since the 2004 version there has been 3 file format relased which include 2004, 2007 and 2010.
AutoCAD 2004, 2005 and 2006 are all release 2004 format.
AutoCAD 2007, 2008 and 2009 are all release 2007 format.
AutoCAD 2010, 2011 and 2012 are all release 2010 format.
The version with the least amount of bugs and fastest is always the 3rd release. Therefore, in the past I have always suggest loading either 2004, 2007 and now I suggest 2012.
For a CAD Manager this means that a complete overhaul of AutoCAD will happen every 3 years. This also allows for better budgeting of software.
It is always best if every user in the office is working on the same version.
And above all, create a customized company CUI file that can be carried forward through to the new releases. If you are still living in the world of MNU, MNS, MNC it time to learn CUI.