Should You Buy a 22" LCD Monitor?

One of the things I do frequently is shop for new computer parts and accessories. Like LCD monitors. I have replaced all the CRT monitors in the house except one older NEC MultiSync 19" flat screen (aperture grill). The picture quality is excellent and it is more flexible than an LCD for gaming, so I have been in no rush to replace it. However, it does take up a lot of desk space, is heavy like an anchor, and sucks a lot of electricity (About 3-times as much as an LCD). Hence the slow search for a new LCD to replace it. As I already have a 19" 4x3 and a 20" wide-screen, the natural evolution seemed to point to a 22" wide-screen LCD. You know, something with HDCP, maybe even HDMI or component inputs, excellent picture quality, nice colors, adjustable stand (that is not flimsy), maybe even a video cam (just like an Apple!).

My search has not gone well, and at this point I'm wondering why I shouldn't just skip 22" monitors and wait for the inevitable price drop on 24" models, or maybe buy a cheaper 20" with the same resolution and better image quality. It seems manufacturers are cutting corners to make affordable 22" monitors, with adverse affects on image quality.

I've read many reviews and have found that some sites have given 22" monitors good marks, like this Gateway FPD2275, which seems to be a good monitor, but expensive compared to other units (around $400 with the 3-year warranty option). Many sites have given most 22" models mediocre marks. There are issues with picture quality and color depth. For example, the CNET review doesn't mention whether the Gateway is a 6 or 8-bit panel (it appears to be 8-bit). While the Gateway is 8-bit, Maximum PC points out that many of the 22" monitors are 6-bit. There are other exceptions, like this Samsung 226BW, which some consumers like. Some people are adjusting the colors of the 226BW using custom ICM profiles and the Microsoft Color Control Applet. And others complain that the 226BW is manufactured in multiple locations and you need to pick a certain one to get the best quality. I'd rather not have to use a custom ICM or hunt around for a particular part number to get a good 22" LCD. I'd rather just spend a few minutes calibrating my display, using simple instructions like Computer Display Calibration 101 from Coding Horror.

A couple tips in comparing monitors. If the screen response time is listed as 4 MS or less, it is probably a 6-bit panel. 5 MS or higher *could* mean 8-bit, like the Gateway. This doesn't apply to older monitors, however, where many are 8 MS, and still only 6-bit (we have 19" 4x3 aspect ratio monitors at work in this category). And if the color is listed as less than 16.7 million colors, it is 6-bit. Some manufacturers list 16 million colors. Well, that is 6-bit (267k colors) using dithering to get 16 million (or 16.2). Not the same.

I'm sure there are many people with 22" monitors out there that would disagree with me on this. But until I see higher-quality units coming out that are 8-bit, with all the features I want, and with excellent image quality, I'm going to wait for something bigger and better, or buy something 20" that is higher quality for the same price. Which would you buy?