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[Sir Alemeth]

T1 is better than T2.

 

[Korigama]

T1 isn't bad or anything. T2 is just much better.

 

[Jables Swan]

T2 > T1 for me. But both are great.

 

[The Boat]

I haven't watched T2 in a while, but I watched T1 for the first time since being a kid a short while ago and I was amazed at how much I loved it. I won't say it's better than T2, but it sure as hell fits my current 80s mood better, the atmosphere is fantastic.

 

[Lucky Forward]

T-800 is never shown running, but the T-1000 chased the car on foot in the parking garage (I remember the actor had to pull off that scene without looking like he was breathing heavily from the text commentary)

The T-800 is shown running down the alley behind Tech-Noir chasing Reese and Sarah, just before leaping over the burning car. (Trivia: Linda Hamilton had a broken ankle in a cast when they filmed that scene, and gamely ran as best as she could.)

Also, another neat tidbit about T2: T-1000 assimilates people that John would have normally viewed as his protectors in society. A foster mom, a security guard, a cop, and finally his actual mom.

Interesting point, but it could be argued that the T-1000's strategy was to impersonate authority figures whom John would tend to trust.

 

[EatChildren]

The opening of T2 is a deliberate play on audience expectations (even if they spoiled it pre-release) drawn from the first film. T1's opening makes a very big deal out of how mechanical and oblivious to danger the T800 is, and how fragile and human Kyle Reese. The former methodically accomplishes each step towards finding Sarah Conner, while Reese fumbles.

T2, on the other hand, deliberately humanises the T1000 a lot more than the T800. Until the T800 properly meets up with John, the only thing you ever hear him say is "I need your clothes, your boots, and your motorcycle", mirroring the mechanical, methodical hunter approach of the T800 from the first film. Meanwhile you see the T1000 meet people, ask questions, and interact with the public, and generally talk like a normal person.