Using a mac tower and and older Apple matte screen 23" (i think) "Cinema Display."
Any recommendations for something newer that doesn't cost a fortune?
I just purchased a NEC PA272w for $999 (with free shipping within the United States) from B&H in New York. At the time that I'm writing this, the B&H website says they have a "limited supply at this price." Excellent monitor. This is my second NEC wide-gamut monitor and I'm very pleased with it.
And at that price, you do not get NEC's
SpectraView software or color calibration sensor, which I strongly recommend because they make calibration essentially effortless. (I already had them from the earlier NEC purchase.)