I've been using a Philips 19" mon itor for about 2 years and it's a dream with a screen res of 1280 x 1024 and refresh of 85hz. I paid just over AUD$1000 back then, but around here 19" monitors go to as low as $500 brand new. 17" monitors can be found for a lot less (as low as AUD$300). The cheapest LCD/TFT monitor I have seen is AUD$550 for a 15" one. I also have a TFT monitor which I paid $640 brand new about 6 months ago. It's quite a pleasent display and I don't get much eye strain with it or the 19". The only disadvantage of a TFT display is that some displays don't like fast movement (eg in games etc) They aren't that fragile (don't drop them), because I lugged my TFT around everywhere (lighter than a 19" to carry) and it's got a few bumps and scratches, but the screen is still flawless
The only real expensive monitors around now are the 21" and up ones and the Flat screen versions of the normal 17" and 19" CRT monitors. Although some LG anbd Samsung monitors seem to cost way less than the Sony, Panasonic etc monitors from japan. Best to shop around though. If all else fails, I'm sure there are some sort of governement etc auctions in your part of the world (we have them here). You'd be able to score a very decent second monitor for way less than a new one. A friend of mine bought a 21" monitor at an auction once, about 3 years ago, and it's still working like a dream. Didn't cost more than a couple hundred dollars.
