22" 16:9 is more like 20" 16:10
That makes no sense.
A 22" 16:10 physically is:
- 18.7" wide
- 11.7" tall
A 22" 16:9 physically is:
- 19.2" wide
- 10.8" tall
A 20" 16:10 physically is:
- 16.9" wide
- 10.6" tall
Sure, the height is similar, but how does that make them "more like" each other? The 22" is a lot more wider.
As for FOV, modern games don't have "pixel dependent viewing area". Any modern game uses the ratio to determine what you can see. We had a really good discussion some time ago about it. Makes sense in 3D games - everybody sees the same (provided they have the same ratio), a higher resolution just makes the world sharper.
Diablo 1/2, Infinity Engine games (BG, IWD, PS:T), old C&C games - those are games sprite based, they have fixed, pre-created elements populating their world. The higher your resolution, the more stuff you can squeeze on the screen (as each element is fixed pixel-wise).
Me? I don't have a preference in terms of ratio. The only things I'm concerned with are:
1) Screen size - the bigger the better (as in your screen can only be too small )
2) Panel technology