aperture grills, and are required in flat monitors. They don't bother the majority of people, and the people who they do bother will get used to them in a matter of days and eventually won't notice them.

On brands: most are generally acceptable. If you are buying a monitor bundled with your computer (from Dell, Gateway, Compaq/HP, IBM, etc.), it will generally be a good one (they are usually made by Sony, Viewsonic, etc. with the computer brand sticker stuck on it). However, if you are going to buy a monitor not bundled with a computer, brands are of some concern. I would go for a Viewsonic, a Sony, an NEC/Mitsubishi, or a KDS if all else fails.

LCD Details
Most LCDs these days are generally good, however brand is of some concern. More companies make decent LCD monitors than do CRTs, however, so this list may not be complete (feel free to leave a comment if you have a brand that should be added, as I am not as well versed in LCD monitors as CRTs). Viewsonic, Scepeter, Sony, NEC/Mitsubishi, Samsung, KDS, and whoever makes the monitor that comes with a complete system are all good brands and should serve you well.