Sony Artisan vs. New 23" Apple Cinema Display

I have been using a Sony GDM-F520 monitor for my Macintosh-based home
digital darkroom and Photoshop skunkworks. Nice image most of the time,
but it has occasional bouts where the synch goes funky and the image
shakes. After three failed repair attempts, Sony is apparently
considering other options for me. They may be preparing to offer me an
exchange for a GDM-C520 Artisan monitor, or perhaps a cash settlement.

I know that the Artisan gets raves from many graphics pros. I have been
using a Spyder/OptiCAL combo with the F520. The Artisan's integrated
calibration and profiling system is probably superior. But it is
essentially a revision of the F520 hardware, so I am a bit worried about
encountering more reliability problems.

If I take the cash, I would consider buying the new 23" Apple Cinema
Display (brushed aluminum frame). I have worked on ACDs from the
previous series (clear plastic frames), and they would probably be
adequate for my needs. But I have no experience with the new ones.
Has anyone made comparisons between the new and old ACDs, or between the
new ACDs and the Artisan?

I would characterize myself as an intermediate-level amateur
photographer. I know how to use color spaces, profiles, soft proofs,
etc. But I will also be using this monitor for my real job
(programming), plus websurfing, watching DVDs, etc.

Several months ago, I read some press releases about interesting new
monitors from NEC-Mitsubishi. They claim to have CRTs with new
phosphors that come close to covering the gamut of AdobeRGB. They also
described a new wide-gamut flat screen technology, which use LEDs for
illumination (this is not the thin-film OLED stuff). But it looks like
I will have to choose my next monitor before these products are
available.

--
Julian Vrieslander