Fair enough, I can understand wanting something new! In that case, maybe try searching for "commuter" bikes - there are some nice ones being made that are a little lighter and faster than a hybrid and don't have the shocks. A flat bar road bike may also suit you, or a "cross" (cyclocross) bike - these are a bit tougher than the road-race style bike.
Names that come up on the Commuting board a lot are Jamis, Giant, Trek, and Specialized - all of these have commuter models now. The Jamis Coda is a little more than your budget ($475 msrp for the 2008) but is very highly regarded. There is also the Jamis Commuter 1, at $300. You may still be able to find 2007 models new, at a discount.
Raleigh makes a couple of lines, the Cadence and the Detour, that look really nice. (The Detour Deluxe is very pricey though).
Eyelets for attaching racks and fenders make a bike very useful for commuting, touring, or just running errands. You'll want to budget for a helmet (may not be a legal requirement in your area, but personally I don't want to have ahead injury and still be on the hook for student loans, so I wear one!), lights, and whatever rack/pannier/carry stuff system you decide to use.
Hope that helps...