They look like pretty much the same fork. Is there any difference other than color?

in case any one else is interested, I got this straight from the friendly folks at RS.

"The only functional difference will be in the remote lockout part, the '04 model will have a stronger return spring. When conditions get very muddy the 03 remote set up tends to get sluggish and a stronger return spring helps to return the fork to the unlocked postion a little better."