This Sony monitor is top of the line in performance and reliability. It is Alienware's top choice for Wide-Screen LCD Monitors. They offer sizes alot bigger than 22", and 22" is their smallest size.
Do not get stuck with some junky monitor that breaks down on you in a year. Get the best!
I would be using it for low end gaming (Delta force black hawk down) and school work. I will be using a macbook running OS X and boot camp with windows XP SP2
Flat screen at a price of $150.00 over 17".. That is pushing it.. I wouldn't get a monitor until I had more money.. There are tons of monitors that will work for now and turn yellow and quit on you in a couple months.. also the quality of the screen is substantially low at that price.
Now.. if you were talking about a Flat Screen "CRT" monitor that is different...