We did go shopping yesterday and had a chance to "admire" some of the LCD monitors (and I could see some in store specials ).

The contrast ratio of 500:1 looked very good. Is 700:1 "that much" superior?

I was considering some eBay auctions, but a) I want the ability to return them and b) it's hard to find two identical monitors from one seller at a good price.

Now, I am down to an in-store special at FRYS ELECTRONICS (which is a 500:1 ratio 19" monitor by GEM) or COSTCO (which is a 700:1 ratio 19" monitor by Sceptre). Both have the same standard resolution and built-in speakers.

I just measured his two current monitors and they are 19" monitors with 18" viewable area -- so if I get the 19" LCD monitors, he will actually increase his viewable area

Or I could save money and get the 17" ones that are as low as $329! That's a hard call... The 'cheap' 19" LCD monitors are close to $500 -- that's a big increase for the extra 2" of screen space...

Funny thing is that I started shopping for these a few days agout because buy.com sent me a 10% off offer -- but they are only competitive on the 17" monitors, not the 19" monitors