It really depends on what you plan to use the computer for. If you're a graphic designer and concerned with clarity, sharpness and color, your options are limited. If you're only using the computer for general Office applications, web surfing and email, virtually any LCD screen will work for you.

Sony, in my opinion, make the best "general use" monitors available. They're pretty good for just about everything, though a little more expensive than most.

I use a ForMac Gallery 2010 (20.1 inch LCD) because color is very important for what I do, and it offers a 1600x1200 resolution which I prefer over Apple's wide-screen format (they're great for watching a DVD, but I need all the space I can get.)

I'm partial to the Samsung monitors myself. They always seem to hold up well, the colors seem to be pretty good, and they back up their warranty. I'm thinking about buying two or three of the 17" ones myself with my tax return. Oh, and you can set up multiple monitors and tile easly. Which is great for more desktop space! A friend has a set of three all tied together to form a panoramic desktop. Pretty cool!

I'm a fan of Samsung monitors. I used to have Syncmaster 17" which never disappointed me. Bright colors, no dead pixels, great monitor features, including vertical rotation, view angles, easy set up, etc. Recently I've bought a Samsung 19" Syncmaster LCD Monitor as it has a larger screen and samsung didn't let me down again. My friend bought the same monitor last week at a low price at http://www.everydaylowprices.com/lp/335.html. So you can check Syncmaster out and decide for yourself.

I think they work with pc's too. If not Dell do a comparable model which is pretty good too. Agree about samsung too, still got a 19" pronitron crt which is used occasonally. If your a designer the bigger and higher resolution the better.

Why is it at still at the top of the forum list?

Yeah... you can see the essential article for choosing an LCD TV here

www.lcdtoday.com

Another vote for Samsung. I'm not terribly picky about monitors, but I went through a couple Viewsonics with defects before settling on the 1600x1200 Samsung. Dells use the same insides as Apple, I believe, and they're supposed to be pretty nice, so they might be something to look into too.

aside from LaCie and Apple...which obviously are standards with most studios and designers, what other (cheaper) colour-accurate monitors can a low-budget jr like myself choose from? thanks

By the way, i live in Toronto, Canada so my selection might be limited to locally sold brands. I found a used Formac Gallery 2010 Platinum 20.1" though from a buy and sell site:

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computers-Formac-Gallery-2010-Platinum-20-1-TFT-DVI-Professional-Display-W0QQAdIdZ10312999

for $650CAD, but i doubt their going to ship it to me. so forget that.