Options?

I've decided to buy local so that I can try before I buy and to this end I've done a little trawl of the four bike shops in town.

I've decided on a budget of £600 but am prepared to push that slightly if it results in a significantly better spec.

With this in mind what would people say would be my options?

Stonehenge Cycles: Specialized, Marin and Giant.

Love the Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc '09 at £685.10 but that's at the very top of my budget. Not too aware of Giant and Marin at my chosen price point.

Hayball Cycles: Trek, GT and Raleigh.

Quite liked a look of a couple of the Treks that I was shown but once again I'm not really aware of the range. I'm vaguely aware of Raleigh having a bad rep but the AT40 seemed alright.

Nash's Cycles (no website, five doors away from me): Dawes, Haro, Meridia and Scott.

Liked the look of the Scott Aspect 45 that he had in the shop and loved the look of Haro Mary XC 29er in the catalogue.

Not aware of Dawes or Merida but I was told that Merida are the parent of Specialized and manufactures for, or owns, several other top makes.

Proper LBS, friendly bloke and when I said I only lived five doors down he said he'd be able to "see me alright", hopefully with prices rather than bumsecks or anything like that.

Finally there's a Halfords with Carrera, GT and Boardman.

I know I'm going to be told to see what I like the feel of but there are thousands of models between those four shops and there's no way I can try them all.

Any experience of the makes I've listed or anyone particularly love any of the bikes from them?

Tall order I know but many thanks for any help you can give.