HP 8430 - nc or nx?

Lo
The only source I've found for 8430's in the UK (i.e. with stock, not "built to order") is laptopsdirect, which I see from other forum contributors has some positive feedback.
Per this link;
www.laptopsdirect.co.uk search for 8430
...they currently list a factory refurbed nc8430, and a number of lower spec nx8430s. Does the nc vs. nx prefix indicate something significant about the build selections for these machines?
Given that I wanted to spend under GBP1K, the nx8430 there seems about right (lower res screen, XPHome, T2300 and 2x512MB SODIMMs). I wanted to go with a C2D in preference, but haven't found anyone listing those - even HP's UK site says call in - I have, and the rep just said "don't know when they will be available".
So;
- anyone found an actual stock source of lower-spec 8430's in the UK apart from laptopsdirect?
- what does the nc vs. nx prefix mean?
Thanks
Kingsley

 

The 8430 is ONLY an nc8430. It might be a typo on the website.

However, there are the nw8440 and nx9420...which is the nc8430 with a professional graphics card equivalent to the X1600 (FireGL V5200) and a 17" version of the X1600 nc8430, respectively.

FYI, HP's naming schemes don't always make sense.

 

- I've read some very bad reviews about laptopsdirect. Personally I think their prices are to good to be true, especially those at hpoutlet.co.uk (=same thing). £700 (Inc.Vat) for a Nc8430? It cost at least £1200 here in Sweden, and the price differences are usually not that big. I may be wrong, please tell me if I am. If someone in the UK can convince me that this is a decent store then I will order one now! Read this.

- There's also a Nx8420, but it's not available in Europe yet AFAIK.

- Here are some Nc8430's in the UK.

 

I would personally stick with the nc8430 unless you need the FireGL (workstation) GPU. The nc8430 is cheaper and the same quality, just minus 3D content creation certification. Just as able to play games.

 

First Letter:
n = Notebook
t = Tablet PC

Second letter:
x = EX-something, prolly Express, meaning the entry-series for business, which usually are cheaper computers with 1-year warranty standard
c = Commercial, or something like that, meaning the defacto business series, meaning more expensive computers with usually 3-year warranty standard
w = Workstation, meaning the most expensive business computers that always come with a 3-year warranty standard and an OpenGL/workstation version of the standard graphics card.

 

OK, thanks for the summary of the HP naming scheme.

I did get my nc8430 from laptopsdirect. Service was OK; it turned up when expected and was in an sealed box. What else can I say; I'm not relying on them to do anything else.

It is about as low a spec as the 8430 goes - so 1280x800 screen, 2x512MB RAM, t2300e CPU, XP Home. But - the important thing - the whole machine feels very solid, is decently quick, and is silent (or at least reasonably quiet even when gaming). Battery life is very good.

Apart from the low core spec, remember that these are delivered with just one year mail-in warranty. To boost this model variant to a 3 year Global next-day on-site has added a further GBP180 but obviously that's my choice. I still think this is very good value for a solid notebook with an x1600 - if you want to do gaming as well as "normal" PC work I think it's a great choice.

Kingsley