Everybody is too concerned with all of the components on the bike. Your main concern should be with the frame itself. Yes, everything else is important to the bike as a whole, but a good frame is a priority. Remember that while you trade out various components, wheels, forks, etc. as the years go by, you will be on the same frame.
On that note, I am personally partial to my Giant Iguana. I do not quite like GT's. It depends on how tight of trails you are riding. They have a shallower head angle, making them stretch out a bit longer than many other bikes. I haven't ridden Specialized much, but I do find some of their cable guides to be a nuisance. Who runs their cables right over the top tube?!
The important thing is to ride the bike, see if you like the feel, and then worry about the other stuff.