For $400 you can get a decent 19" monitor. I have a Micron MX900. Sony FG Trinitron Flatscreen tube. I paid $370 at BestBuy. I think the Samsung 955DF is under $400 as well.
I just picked up the Samsung 753DF (flat screen) at Bestbuy for $179 ($229, but has a $50 mail-in rebate) It's an excellent monitor. It was the schiznit about two years ago,but it an older model now. It's still an excellent monitor though, and "new" is "new".