[peanut]

I had the same problem deciding on a monitor, took me ages compared to a custom built PC.

I ended up with the BenQ2450HM as it comes with built in speakers (not brilliant but helpful) as mainly the sound goes to an AV. I had a Samsung syncmaster t220 beforehand and the BenQ is so much better so I can easily say I'm very pleased with the one I now have. (It's not that expensive either). Also it's so bright I have to use a custom setting with all the settings basically down to very low as it's blinding on normal.

I found for every good review there was nearly always equal amounts of negative reviews for every monitor I looked at which made the decision that much harder.

The main thing is the new monitors today are a lot nicer than a few years ago.