I also tested Microsoft Max the other day. It's fascinating product to look at, probably one of the prettiest on Windows at least. You have probably seen lots of reviews so I won't go down that road.
My impressions after testing is isn't directly related to program itself, but the WinFX (or Windows Presentation Layer) road that Microsoft is taking us down. I believe will see lots of terrible looking software like we did when VB4 and VB5 ruled the world. Lots of colors, probably bright yellow and red, huge fonts and absolutely no taste. Yes, my programs were butt ugly in those days too.
What will happen is that programmer will either have to become part time designer, which will be very hard for most of us, or we will have to hire designers to create beautiful UIs and our only job will be creating quality software.
I believe you will be better off if you'll be designer who can code a bit that a developer with doubtful designer skills! I known myself rather well so I'll have to work on my developing skills even harder to keep up with new technologies. Think about your direction, it will be useful when the time comes. And it's not that far...