I think the only good answer these days is both.  I recently worked with a couple of several folks whose co-workers use SPSS syntax exclusively.  I think they are missing out on some new features by doing so.

Here is a short, partial list:  Transpose, Restructure, Identify Duplicate Cases (all in the DATA menu) and Visual Binning, Date and Time Wizard (in TRANSFORM).

I don't think anyone's typing skills are good enough to outpace the syntax you can produce in short order with these menus.  Not to mention much of syntax is arcane and hard to remember! And I don't think there is anything to gain (including insight) from forcing yourself to type it out.

Check them out and see if you agree.