LCD Monitor Suggestions

Because of the Christmas season, any items purchased at a BestBuy/FutureShop can be returned for a full refund. I have been using this opportunity to test out an array of LCD monitors.

Sadly however, I find the LCD market somewhat dissappointing, especially for a graphic artist.

Can anyone recommend an 19' LCD monitor with a resolution of at least 1280x1024 (which is what I use on my 17' CRTs. oh well), a response time adequate for gaming, and most importantly, PROPER GRADIENT DISPLAY.

Of all the monitors I have tested, none can begin to properly display gradients, displaying transitional lines at intervals inside the gradient. Furthermore, their color reproduction has been inadequate, and Brightness/ Contrast is an area of worry.

Again, anyone recommend an LCD monitor that will allow a person to effectively design and edit images on a computer (with a price range of about $500).

>>12 Well, they say 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'.  I've been staring at screens for a living for many years now (yes I'm an Analyst/programmer - well, an IT consultant these days) and I'm only too pleased to wave goodbye to CRT.  I only wish I hadn't thrown my old ones away, as I could have probably sold them to you, but no-one I know would have taken them, as they have all gladly followed the same route as me.