Cannondales are very good bikes. If you want to be 'different' go with the Cannondale. They do not make one losey bike. The Rush and Prophet are amazing...but i think you might be limited because they are quite expensive. Also all Cannondales are hand made and assembled in the USA.
The forks are differn't...but let me tell you. The standard 'fatty' fork that comes on a $1000 C-dale is lighter then the RockShox Sid World Cup that retails for more then the bike does
.
Consider Giant, Scott and Trek aswell. XtC is the Giants main hardtail, those bikes are orientated to XC/race but will handle a bit more.
Trek 6700 is another.