Hp NW8440 vs NC8430

Hi

I am intending to buy one of these models - Hp NW8440, NC8430. Would like to know what is the difference between them. Apart from the graphic card there seem to be absolutely no difference in specs atleast. Cost is also more are less the same ($ 1970 for NC8430 and $ 1998 for NW8440).

Nc8430- ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with 256MB discrete video memory
Nw8440- ATI FireGL V5200 graphics controller with 256MB discrete video memory


HP Compaq nc8430 Base NB / Windows XP Pro O/S / 15.4 WSXGA+ Display / 2048M (2 X 1GB) 667DDR2 2DM Module / 100G 7200RPM FX Hard / DVD RW DL LS FX Drive / Bluetooth 2.0+ Module / Intel 802.11a/b/g MOW-1 Card /Intel Core2 Duo T7200 Processor (2.00-GHz, 667-MHz FSB, 4-MB L2 Cache)

HP Compaq nw8440 Base NB / Windows XP Pro O/S / 15.4 WSXGA+ Display / 2048M (2 X 1GB) 667DDR2 2DM Module / 100G 7200RPM FX Hard / DVD RW DL LS FX Drive / Bluetooth 2.0+ Module / Intel 802.11a/b/g MOW-1 Card /Intel Core2 Duo T7200 Processor (2.00-GHz, 667-MHz FSB, 4-MB L2 Cache)


Which will be a better option if I want to use it for S/W development and video editing and if looks are very important. Is there any difference in looks at all?
btw, can I connect them to 5.1 system ? (there seem to be no spdif port, will that be a limitation)

Thanks
Raju

 

Either one will be fine for you, but if you play any games I'd get the nc8430. If you run CAD like things get the nw8440. But SW and video editing?: I'd just get the X1600.

No difference, the two notebooks use the same parts...except for the motherboard as it has a different GPU soldered on.

AFAIK, 5.1 isn't going to happen unless the docking station has it. I'm not an audio guy though so take this with a grain of salt.