Different network topology is not an answer.
I can make an HP-like network topology with cisco 2960 at edge and cisco 3750 as a core with no differences between HP solution.
StackWise is really usefull if you need to archieve redundancy and port aggregation.
With stackwise you can aggregate port1 on switch1 with port5 on switch4.
for example, I have one 2610 with 2 gigabit uplink.
With a stackwise aggregation switch I can aggregate port 25 and 26 on the 2610 to port1 on core switch1 and port1 on core switch2.
Redundancy and aggregation with just 2 cable.
Without stackwise I have to buy two gigabit transcever for the 2610 and I have to aggregate port 25 and 26 to port 1 and 2 on core switch1, and port27 and 28 to port 1 and 2 on coreswitch2.
4 cable, more trouble, less redundancy.
More over, I have to implement MSTP and STP to prevent loop and balancing between trunks.