Mountain Biking - Buying First Good Bike

As the topic says I am looking into buying my self a new bike, largely for trail riding. I have pretty much narrowed it down to two bikes, but please give me suggestions or tell me if I am making a huge mistake or something.

1.Kona Hoss. Spent quite a bit of trail time on one and found it to be solid and all around likeable, but it is a little beyond my price range (but not too much).
Specs: $899
Frame sizes 16", 18", 20", 22"
Frame tubing Kona Clump Butted Aluminum
Fork Marzocchi Dirt Jam Comp 100mm
Headset Aheadset STS
Crankarms TruVativ Blaze ISIS
Chainrings 44/32/22
B/B TruVativ DHLT ISIS
Pedals Shimano PD-M505 Clipless
Chain Shimano CN-HG53
Freewheel Shimano Deore CS-HG50 11-32 9 speed
F/D Shimano Deore
R/D Shimano Deore
Shifters Shimano Deore
Handlebar
TruVativ LE OS Riser
Stem
TruVativ XR 3D OS
Grips Kona ************
Brakes Hayes Sole
Brake Levers Hayes Sole
Front hub KK Disc
Rear hub Shimano FH-M475 disc
Spokes Stainless 14g
Tires Nokian NBT 26 x 2.3
Rims Alex DM-24
Saddle WTB Speed V Sport SE
Seatpost Kona Double Clamp
Seat clamp Kona QR
Color Blue

2. Specialized Hardrock. Limited ride time with one, but I liked it and it is a little more affordable. Only real question is, should I save my pennies a little longer and go with the Rockhopper pro disc.
Specs: $710
FRAME Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, disc only, tig welded, double-butted ORE DT, externally machined head tube, forged disc D/O, w/06 replaceable derailleur hanger
REAR SHOCK None
FORK Marzocchi MZ-3, 100mm, 30mm stanchions, coil/MCU w/ preload adjust
HEADSET 1-1/8" threadless, sealed ball retainer
STEM Specialized Mobius, alloy, 10 degree rise
HANDLEBARS Alloy, 38mm rise, 6 degree upsweep, 8 degree sweep, 640mm width
GRIPS Specialized Enduro, Kraton dual compound
FRONT BRAKE Avid BB5, mechanical disc with 6" Roundagon rotor
REAR BRAKE Avid BB5, mechanical disc with 6" Roundagon rotor
BRAKE LEVERS Avid FR-5
FRONT DERAILLEUR SRAM X-GEN, 34.9mm top clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR SRAM X-7, short cage
SHIFT LEVERS SRAM X-7, triggers, 9-speed
CASSETTE SRAM PG-950, 9-speed 11-34t
CRANKSET Truvativ Blaze PS 6066-T6 w/ 24/36t/poly bash
CHAINRINGS 36t heat treated Cr-Mo x 24t heat treated Cr-Mo w/poly bash guard
BOTTOM BRACKET Truvativ, 68x113mm, Power Spline, sealed cartridge bearing with double crank stops
PEDALS Specialized alloy platform with 9/16" Cr-Mo spindle
RIMS SUN Singletrack disc, double wall, 36h, eyelets
CHAIN SRAM PC-951 w/ power link
FRONT HUB Joy-Tech, disc, 36h, ground race double sealed loose ball w/ alloy QR
REAR HUB Joy-Tech, disc cassette, 36h, ground race double sealed loose ball w/ alloy QR
SPOKES 2.0mm stainless steel, brass nipples
FRONT TIRE Specialized Enduro Sport, 26"x2.2", wire bead
REAR TIRE Specialized Enduro Sport, 26"x2.2", wire bead
TUBES Specialized 26x2.2", schraeder valve
SADDLE Specialized Body Geometry Sport MTB
SEAT POST Alloy 30.9mmx300/350mm, micro adjust
SEAT BINDER Alloy collar with Q/R
NOTES Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Both bikes are great. I would go would the Hardrock, its a solid bike.

Both bikes are great.

ditto, but i would go for the hoss. just because i like the feel of my kona over my mates specialized hardrock pro... not much point to that statment allthough the 2 bikes you mentioned are the updgraded version to the two i have rode.

kona, seems better specced (to me)

The hardrocks get plenty of good reviews and I think it would suit you.

The Hoss is a very strong bike aimed a bit at the hardtail freeride end of the market so it will probably be heavier. It comes with Hydraulic brakes which will give you better stopping power. Not sure how the Sram shifters compare with the shimano Deore but I know Deore components are not top of the line but are good quality.

It depends on whether you are going to be riding "gnarly trails" that need an extra tough bike thats worth lugging round a bit more weight for. Also if you are a heavy rider this bike mike suit you.

Just my 2 cents.

Hardrock only has 2 chainrings so you wont be able to go as fast as you could with the Kona.

If your going to spend 800 bucks on a bike you should go with the rockhopper instead of the hardrock. for same price as the kona you could get comp disc and for the 700 you could still end up with a better frame and good components.

Thanks for all the replies. I think I am leaning more toward a hardrock Largely for economy sake (poor college student). Now it's time to wait for the next few paychecks and hopefully soon I will be beating the crap out of it on the local trails.