I currently have the Trial version and have E-license installed.
if I buy the Element or Pro version, do I need a Hardware dongle? If so, what’s the point of the E-license program on my laptop if I need a HW dongle.
Just wondering.
Hi,
You need the dongle for Cubase Artist/Pro.
For Cubase Elements, you can use a dongle or the e-licenser software.
Some more information about the Soft eLicense and the USB eLicense dongle…
Regards 
You also need the eLicense software to operate the dongle. The software controls your license independent of where the license lives; either on your computer (Elements only) or on the dongle.