Recreational & Family - Questions! Help needed

First post here: My bike (trek 4300) that I used for getting around campus was recently stolen so I've been looking into new bikes. I have never really had any experience with hybrid bikes and such, but somebody suggested it to me. I ride my bike around campus ALL the time, ride trails sometimes, and plan on commuting to work on it (roads). Would a hybrid be a good idea for me? Somebody also said I could just put on mountain bike tires if I was going to end up doing more advanced trail stuff.

Also, can anybody give advice on decent brands/models in the $400-600 range? I'm only really used to Trek and Specialized bikes, but I'm open to anything.. is GT any good?

Thanks!

You might want to post this in the commuter or general section as they get more participation/responses there.

You could buy another Trek 4300 for $420.00. The Trek 7.3 FX is a good hybrid and you can find last years models going for $420.00 (msrp=$530.00). If you are going to use it on the road more, this is the bike I would get or something similar from other manufacturers/brands. You'll appreciate the speed difference with the 700c tires. I'm only listing a few Trek bikes since that's what you are familiar with. There are a lot of options in your price range. You have to do some research and take a few test rides with the bikes that interest you.

The Gary Fisher Kaitai is a little more ($660.00) but a jack of all trades. Perfect for commute and around campus with 700c wheels and disc brakes. It also has some off road capability having a mountain bike geometry , lockout shock and can handle up to a 1.9/1.8 (frt/rr) tire.

The Redline Mono Cog ($530.00) is a single speed 29'er. Steel frame, swap out tires for trail or road.