What contrast ratio to choose on an LED monitor?

Hi,

I have two questions:

1) I'm buying a PC for my office and the deal with with a 19" monitor Asus - which claims to have 50,000,000:1 cotrast ratio. However for about $80 more I can upgrade to a 22" monitor (Asus again http://www.asus.com/Display/LCD_Monitors/VE228T/ ) which claims to have a lower 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Here is the comparison chart:
http://gadgetprofile.com/comparison...ve228t/1012-933

I'm just wondering, what difference would one notice between these monitors? We mostly use it for web development and programming so I may get the 19" if it is a superior monitor (except for the size) and later buy the 22" for personal use. The point is, I'm not too fussed on getting either (as we need the PCs and monitors) but I'm just curious, what differences in layman terms would I notice between the two?

2) I don't need especially the speakers or the HD as they are meant to be quite bad. The review on http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-VE228T...0/dp/B004OXZB6C mentions that this monitor: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-VS229H..._cp_computers_0
is a better buy with it's IPS feature but may not be available in my country, but I'm not very familiar with these terms anyway, all I really want is a great monitor, anti glare, great/steady stand and for personal use I'd go for the bigger size screen now or later. If you have any advice between these products please let me know.

Many thanks!

Contrast ratio specifications are meaningless. The first LCD I bought had a contrast ratio advertised as 300:1. The one I bought most recently has a contrast ratio advertised as 30,000,000:1. There is almost no visible difference between them, and I spend 16+ hours per day in front of computer monitors, so if it were possible to see a difference I would be able to do so. All of the manufacturers use different formulas to calculate the contrast ratio, and manufacturers frequently change their own formulas, so contrast ratio is virtually meaningless.

IPS displays are significantly higher quality than TN displays (anything not advertised as IPS is usually TN). If you have a choice, get an IPS display. The colors are truer, the image is sharper and the viewing angle is better.

All of the monitors except the 19" monitor are "HD". "Full HD" just means the resolution is 1920x1080. A higher resolution provides a real productivity advantage, not just a cosmetic one. In fact, I would even recommend 1920x1200 or higher over 1920x1080.

We just recently upgraded to U2412M monitors at work and they are really nice.

Thanks so much, that's really helpful. I'll definitely try to get the IPS one, but if not available here then I'll get the TN one in that case.
Love the comment about the USB rectangular connector!