I have a Kona Dew for my hybrid commuter, and I'm pretty darn happy with it. It's aluminum (ouch!) so I don't have to worry about it rusting here in the Seattle rain.

An added benefit is that it has a slanting top tube, so shorter folks (like my kid or short visitors) can lower the seat waaaaay down and go for a ride with me.

The geometry of the Dew is good for me. Kind of a cyclocross geometry. I found the Trek hybrid geometry to be awkward, but I loved my Trek 570 "Fast Track".

I would definitely try a couple different brands in your price range. They will feel different, and when you find a geometry that suits your riding style and body mechanics it will feel really amazing, like "HEY! THIS IS MY BIKE!!!"