Can't do discs so what else is there?

[Irulan]

Don't overthink this first bike. It's easy to do, I certainly did it, but at your price range and being pretty new to the sport, just make sure you get a good fit and worry about the details later.

Once you are comfortable with your trail riding and the abilities of your bike, then you'll want to start thinking about details.

[derailed]

I have a Giant Rincon. I have no complaints. It's a sturdy, functional, perfectly useful bike.
Enjoy it, trust it, put some miles on it, have fun with it. It's a bike, they are supposed to be fun =)