I'd actually say the opposite, if you're just starting to learn.  I've found 2.5x quite different from earlier versions, and I think it's probably easier to learn if you don't have any old habits to break.  Plus the interface redesign is intended to be more user friendly.

Benny makes a good point about the tutorials, though.  They can in fact run side by side, so you could get both and use the old version to help you translate tutorials as you go...