Re your first question, I'd say if you have the extra cash and the computing horsepower, the G2 looks nicer, and has a VERY slightly better engine/flight sim.

As far as what to try, I learned on Realflight & then went out and did it. You're on the right track, the only thing I'd suggest is learn how to fly upside down, and learn to plant it on the runway EVERY time you land. Take crashes seriously to, decide what you did wrong before you fly again, and try not to let it happen. It's very easy to go in to video game mode, and then have this translate in to a crash at the field. When you go to the field, you'll have the perception that everything happens quicker, and if there's one thing that's not very realistic (for basic flight) on the sim, it's the landings. It's very difficult on the sim to get a feel for the depth perception you will experience with flying at the field. I'd say though that if, on the sim, you can control it well enough to do laps, loops, rolls and inverted flight, and land on the runway everytime, you'll have no troubles flying at the field. The other apsects that the sim can't prepare you for though, such as tuning, set-up & maintenance, fuel selection, club idiosyncracies, etc. will be a hole new ball game. Good luck!