Hi Sueg! Welcome to TE.

I don't have first hand experience with the models you are asking about, but I will share my personal experience with the bikes I have bought. I bought what was the most comfortable. I didn't buy the fastest, most popular, pretty, or state of the art stuff--I bought what fit me and my budget. Then I asked my bike mechanic the pros and cons of the bike and what the quirks were of that particular model. I would then take it out for a good spin and determine if it was a good fit for me.

As for the compact vs. triple, it depends on your riding habits (the mileage you'll put in) and the terrain (hilly, mountainous or relatively flat). I have both a triple and a compact bike. The compact shifts cleaner and I'm less likely to drop a chain. Depending on your cassette, you may only lose maybe the bottom 2 lowest gears that you would have on a triple. My compact is a 11/28. I prefer to ride this bike on flat to hilly terrain. For the really steep hills with double digit grades, I have the triple with a mountain cassette so I can get the lower granny gears. It is my winter/early spring training bike. I can climb the steep hills on my compact but I have to train for it.

I hope this offers you something to ponder and when you narrow down your choice, keep us posted. Buying a new bike is really fun!