The storm is a very good device. OS builds have moved it closer to its max efficiency and more improvements are forthcoming. Make sure if and/or when your friend gets the storm they install .230 on it. It's heavenly. As for the storm 2, I don't see very many improvements, aside from WiFi and more app memory. I suppose for some that's enough, however, it seems as though RIM has taken a play out of the Apple playbook. Nevertheless... the storm is a beast.
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com