Well, I think it is finally time. I may have to break down and buy a flat screen monitor. Well, two actually.

See, Jaime and I sit at the same (large) desk. I’m on the left; she’s on the right. On the desk sits our identical (loud) keyboards, identical wireless mice, our mixing board, a set of speakers, our 1978 Bell Systems chocolate brown rotary dial telephone, and, the subject of this post, our two massive 17″ CRT monitors.

I have been anti-flatscreen for a long time. I still am.

Really, anyone who says their flatscreen has a nicer picture than a CRT is not telling the truth. It is not a matter of opinion; it is a matter of physics. CRTs produce better pictures than LCDs. There is no disputing this.

Sure, some say that LCDs are brighter. Some say they have more contrast. Some say they just “look nicer.” But when it comes right down to it, a CRT can fire electrons at its phosphorous-coated screen at the speed of light, while LCD response time is measured in milliseconds. There is no contest.

But now that summer is upon us, Jaime and I are realizing that our office is a heat machine. Two PCs (6 hard drives!), two CRTs, a 19″ TV, two battery backups, a router, a cable modem, and a laser printer. That is our “minimum” equipment that is on when we are in the office.

So now we’ve decided that the number one heat source in the room is our monitors. Her monitor is warm to the touch. Mine is even warmer. Her monitor is a piece of crap. Mine is very nice. Both are going to be replaced with LCDs.

So, my question for anyone who is reading (is anyone reading?) is: where the hell can I get a good, cheap LCD? Surely I don’t have to purchase two Dell systems that include LCDs and sell the actual PCs on Ebay just so I can get a good deal on a flat screen.

I’m looking for two 17″ LCDs. I’ve got about $400 to spend. I do not buy from Buy.com or TigerDirect.com.

Anyone have any good connections on LCDs?

Thanks!