Thank you a lot for the replies so far! I am very grateful.
I think the 2000 is good too...I know I want the best, bestest bike between the two...I know that I'm not racing it or competing or anything, yet for some reason I feel that I must have these extra things (really I'm practical too) because I know I'll really be Using! this bike and I want to love it!, you know? =) So....
I definitely want to be sure about the brake thing being all right on whichever bike I get. I will be in the snow and rain as well as the desert (believe me the bike will be getting a workout even tho I'll be going mostly asphalt and/or concrete, and some dirt trails). If anyone would like the specifics about the brakes, this is straight from the Marin brochure description:

Pine Mountain 2000: Columbus Shimano LX shifters, Shimano LX
front derailer. Shimano XT rear derailer
11-32 Shimano HG-70 cassette.
LX splined Crankset. Avid SD-20 Brakes.
Avid DS-1.9L Brake Leversumbus. Thron with
Mega TT and DT . Manitou SX-R fork
Tange Seiki DX-2 Headset w/Alloy cups

Pine Mountain 2002: Shimano LX shifters. Shimano LX front
derailer. Shimano XTR rear derailer, Shimano
XT 12-34 cassette, Shimano LX hallowtech,
splined 22/32/44 Crankset
Avid Ball bearing disk brakes, brake calipers.
Avid Speed Dial 7 Brake levers (what does
this mean??) the new fork on this one By
the way is called-Answer Mars Comp Coil,
w/80 mm of travel fork, WTB Grease lite
Comp Al Threadless 1 1/8" headset.

Again, I am really thankful for the advice and information ppl have given! It is helpful (esp. abt what some things are and do, etc!),
Emma