I didn't really see anything in the original post about commuting too much (did he say "ride...to work on the bike" or just "to work on the bike"?). So, it sounds more like mountain bike or hybrid to me.

AllenG and Bill Kapaun above had a good idea too: one of my buddies has a couple bikes, both mountain bikes. But on the older, he put a pair of fatter slicks on and uses it to commute and for road riding.

As a beginner, I wouldn't obsess on a brand either. Natural instinct says by the cool brand. But what the bike can do is more important. Develop brand loyalty later.

PS, I'm pretty new here too, but Welcome from another new guy.