Need Specs for New LCD Monitor

[SteveZ]

Received a gift card to be used at a large national electronics retailer and wanted to use it to buy a new monitor (20"-24") for photo editing. What kind of specs (not brand) should I be looking at i.e. resolution, contrast ratio, color depth, etc.)?

[DarkPenguin]

Make sure it doesn't use a TN panel.

Edit: To add a few things...

Look for a wide viewing angle.  That is usually a sign of a non TN panel.  (TN's are 6 bit.  So they are fast but are iffy color wise.)

PVA and SVA panels are better than TN.  IPS are better yet.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/ is a good place to check to see what type of panel a monitor has.

The NEC 2690 is pretty well liked.  The HP 2475 is about as low a priced IPS monitor as you'll find.