So, to be sure, the general consensus on these monitors is great? I plan on grabbing two or three.
Which brand you get doesn't matter that much.
Screen technology - They all use LG IPS Panels which are the same ones found in Dells, HP, and Apple.
HOWEVER Dell, HP and Apple are given A+ grades which are to be pixel perfect and least amount of defects. And with a company like them they are more than happy to when you have a dead/stuck pixel to take it back and replace it with another.
These sellers are a bit tricky. If you purchase one without the words "Perfect Pixel" you can end up with a perfect monitor or one with stuck/dead pixels. This gamble is up too you as non PP monitors are around the 2XX~3XX range.
IF you do purchase one with PP stamped on check the sellers item details.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Perfect-Pix...1766?pt=Computer_Monitors&hash=item20cb63ff66
Green-Sum's ad pretty much explains it what is PP model and which one isn't.
Also realize that most of the Korean versions are glassed...meaning they are glossy and you will get reflection. If that's something you can't deal with, you can buy one and heat gun the glass off since its just glued on, or buy one from the likes of Dell which is matte. I personally prefer matte because i really hate reflections but yeah...
All of the SK versions will usually have one input connection. You can purchase ones with built in speakers and multi inputs but most of us prefer the single input with (also they have no scaler most of the time) to have low input lag.
With that said the Yamakasi Catleaps has garbage stands from all the reviews I've read.
The ACHIEVA Shimian, Crossover, and Overlord all seems to have better stands. Not only that they all cost about the same so pick the cheapest at the time. Also to your 1st question every one pretty much agrees when these screens work they look great.