They are almost 100% the same except for they got rid of sustained fire/small flamer template. and added house starting lists. They even left in the same spelling mistakes.

I'd use the rules that your friend has. The old rules that came with the box are the best. The only thing the pdf has that the starter set doesn't is outlanders . If you check ebay sometimes you can see the hardbound yellow book that has the starter rules and outlanders together. Hope this helps