If 1280 x 1024 (85hz) is all you're worried about, then I think you'd find the sweet spot with a Sony E440 (B). The price isn't much higher than what you were shooting for, and you still have the option to move to 1600 x 1200 and remain at 85hz. Of course, a lot has to do with what video card you use. If it's anything Nvidia, then 1280 x 1024 looks great, but at 1600 x 1200, I'd get a little skittish with anything less than an ATI card, though Nvidia has gone a long way to fix that issue (the not so good old days of the G1 and G2 cards.. ) Good luck!