Looking at flat panels

Gonna replace my 21" CRT monster with a flat panel. Problem is I gotta buy two, but not for dual, one for the wifey. Doesn't have to be exact model, but can't be an obvious lesser one...

I'm a gamer and want widescreen, even if I have to deal with some squished games if the aspect ratios aren't strictly supported. I'll be a size whore and won't take less than 20 inches and has to have optimum refresh rate. Hers just needs good 2D performance, so refresh doesn't have to super fast.

So what do ya'll recommend? I'd like to keep it to around $500-550 for the pair... (newegg links, but will probably buy local)

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824001096
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824005097
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824116076
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824254020

but might splurge for
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824009113
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824001234
and something smaller for the wife...

Very few things I am ever Brand Specific about. But with regards to Monitors I ALWAYS buy Viewsonic. In the 10 years or so I've been using Viewsonic Monitors, I've never had a problem. In fact my dad is still using the 10 year old 15" CRT as his 2nd monitor back home.

I have a pair of 19" Viewsonics. Have you thought about possibly going for 2 17's or 2 19's rather than just a single 21?

Dell seems to consistently have the best deals.

Here's a 22" for $270:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&oc=E228WFP

If you aren't in a big hurry, sign up for their mailing list - they mail out coupons all the time, and the let you stack 'em.

Get a 24" Monitor from Dell with a $20 computer?

http://www.bensbargains.net

From bens:

This is also available though Costco:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11189008&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US

Which if you're a member, the return policy is awesome.

x2 on costco. If you can find what you want there, buy it there.

A 22" Westinghouse LCD monitor just came on sale at Best Buy for $170 ($100 off, not a rebate). I've never heard of a Westinghouse monitor, I assume it's rebranded but not sure who actually makes it:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8268466&st=22%22+monitor&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1170290375913

(Tried to use the URL thing to make a pretty linky, but it keeps messing up. Never had that happen...)

"I've never heard of a Westinghouse monitor"
Apparently I'm not up to speed on these matters!

56" Westinghouse monitor linky

I forgot that Costco is now carrying Dell.

However, for $25 difference (actually more since Costco also charges for shipping) I'd still buy it from Dell. I've never had an LCD monitor die outside of the initial 30 days.

05_X - Westinghouse makes some pretty good stuff too. They seem to have a good rep. I don't own any of their stuff, but I have friends that do and they are happy with them.

If Costco has it in stock there's no shipping charge, and you can pick up a case of good beer, some steaks, and a 25 lb bag of rice while you're there.

Plus you have the Costco return policy, which is worth more than $25 imo.

I have both this LG and this Viewsonic at work. The Viewsonic has a bit of font bluring that can get very annoying while staring at the screen for more than 1 hr. The LG doesn't, probably because of the slightly faster response time.

The LG is also brighter.

I have an older 19" Gateway at home that looks just as good as the LG. I want to get a 24" widescreen, & saw the Westinghouse on sale a Best Buy, but I has a horible font blure.

The LG & Samsung 24" looks great & come with a 3 year warranty, vs the 1 year that most other have. I am waiting for these to drop to the $300-350 before switching.