The main disadvantage of the all-in-one units is lack of changeability. You're pretty much stuff with what it comes with but you may not care if you're not into changing components.
Originally Posted by
tev9999
I'm also looking for a 23" or so monitor. Any disadvantage to going with a 1080p HDTV instead, other than a slight price increase ($25-$50 it seems). The advantage is I get to use it as a TV and can also output audio to something better than the laptop speakers, and do it with a single HDMI cable.
A few caveats (as I type watching a 46" LCD TV that is also the monitor of the HTPC).
Know where the overscan/underscan adjustment is so you can see the full screen. ATI chips/drivers seem to want to underscan so the whole display isn't used and the adjustment is a PITA to find.
Not all PCs have HDMI outputs or if they do sometimes the sound component isn't all there (such as only stereo vs. not 5.1 or 7.1 sound) but you may not care.
For those contemplating using VGA to hook up their TVs, be aware that some TVs don't support full screen usage through the VGA port or even 16:9. Check the specs first.