Best £500-£600 Hardtail for XC?

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

My list goes as follows...

Merlin Malt 1 - (Magura Vidar fork or Marzocchi MX comp forks?)
Merlin Malt 2 - (ditto, seems to be lighter)
Giant XT3 - (worried about being locked in to the giant componentry set)
Giant XT4 - (ditto)
Specialised Hardrock pro Disk - (Heavy?)

Any others I should be considering?

I'd really appreciate your combined wisdom here, and I hope to get a 'deal' around this time of year.

The bike will be used in and around north Essex on short sharp climbs and decents, mainly trails mostly but will have it's head at thetford/Wales and a few times a year. I guess at the moment I'm favouring light weight, comfort, durability.

Oh, and I'm trading from a '95 Marin Bobcat Trail! I'm expecting the new bike to feel suitiably different!

Thanks,

I'm looking at getting a Giant XTC 3 myself. It's a good looking bike and I've had no problems with my Giant road bike.