Characteristics that make a difference, in no particular order: a) Diagonal length & resolution b) Sharpness c) Brightness

I do not game much, if you do, response time may be a sticking point. I recommend reading up on TFT-LCD technologies: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/panel_technologies.htm

This article may be of interest as well: http://www.pureoverclock.com/article641.html

I own a 20" Viewsonic Vx2025wm hooked up to my desktop linux and sometimes windows machine and a 24" BenQ FP241VW running in tandem with my MacbookPro.

I recommend the BenQ monitor.