[Leica]-grade computer monitor?

["4Season" <4season@boulder.net>]

My Applevision 1710AV 17" monitor broke last week, after about 4 months of
regular service. So far, I'm not having luck in repairing it myself (no
schematics are available), and official Apple service is likely to exeed the
value of the monitor. It isn't covered by any warranty.

If anyone's got a suggestion for a stunningly good 17" or compact 19" setup
that's reliable, I'd like to hear it. I am currently leaning towards an F-,
PS- or GS-series Sony. I have not seen the F-series in person and they are
expensive. From what I could see, even the GS series had a good set of image
controls which minimize distortion, and convergence looked real good all
over.

I took a look at flat panel displays today too,and love the size and cool
factor, but they sure do cost a lot, and some really look bad. Anyone got
one of those 15" IBM PanelLink-standard digital units, and truthfully, can
it hold it's own against an expensive tube unit?? Among other things, I do
have the Ansel Adams screen savers, and get annoyed when the shadow areas
look dense and featureless (or worse, weak, grey AND featureless), or when
the highlights wash out :-) Besides wanting to view LUG web pix in their
fullest glory, I watch movies on the thing and uh, have been known to play a
game or two, usually the kind with steep hardware requirements.

Suggestions would be welcomed.

Jeff

PS: Speaking of Ansel Adams screensavers, they are being sold cheap at the
Office Depot stores in my area. Not bad, but rather harsh and lacking in
tonality compared to the prints.