I would agree with AndyP. A couple of years ago I was in your position and spent hours looking at every bike going. Boardman, Orange, Marin, Trek, Scott, Specialized, and probably a load more I have since forgotten.....
I went to my local bike shop and got about £250 off of a Specialized Rockhopper as it was being replaced by the new model and to be honest the biggest difference (not the only difference but the biggest) was the different paint colour!
It still had disks all round, top of the range rapid fire gear shifts, Rock Shocks adjustable front suspension. All I could need and more, with about 25% off....
