New monitors for dual-display

All monitors 21.6" and larger are widescreen only. No exceptions.

Largest non-widescreen (4:3 aspect ratio) monitors are 21.3" and they all carry a hefty price tag. The only $500 or less 4:3 LCD monitors are all 19" (1280 x 1024) or 20" (1600 x 1200) from what I've seen.

If I had to buy a 4:3 monitor then I would probably get the HP LP2065 Silver-Carbonite 20" 8ms LCD Monitor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824176053

This monitor uses an IPS panel which generally means colors are very good to excellent once it is calibrated, and it has wide viewing angles which means little color shifting. It's resolution is 1600 x 1200 so it might be a bit too small for you. Therefore, go to a computer store and look at a 22" monitor to find out if you can read text on it without straining.

Probably because the monitor will be too tall for most people tastes.

A 24" 4:3 monitor will be much taller than a 24" 16:10 monitor. Remember, size is measured from one corner to the opposite corner.

Not a technical issue since LCD panel glass can be cut as small as possible to as large as possible. I think current generation manufacturing process allows for LCD panel glass to be produced in sheets of 15 feet by 12 feet.

Niche products generally costs a lot more because of low demand and low output. While a 24" 4:3 monitor can easily be manufactured would you be willing to pay 50% to 100% more compared to a comparable 24" 16:10 monitor?