How is formatting a Table Border different than formatting a Shape Outline in PowerPoint?

Table Border thicknesses have fewer options than Shape Outline thicknesses.

Table Border colors have different theme color options than Shape Outlines do$.$

Table Border formatting must first be set and then applied, whereas Shape Outline formatting is applied as you make each individual formatting selection.

There is no difference. Table Borders and Shape Outlines are setup and formatted the same way.