New monitor questions

I currently have a Samsung 2032NW monitor purchased back in 2008. I'm looking to buy a new monitor which will be good for doing post processing to my images. What are the most critical things to look for in a new monitor? Obviously I want as clear an image as possible.
Something in the 24" range would be plenty big I would think. Will most new monitors still need to be color calibrated with some aftermarket device? I've never done this before but would be willing to try it if it's really necessary.
My PC is a Dell Inspiron 546 from 2009 if that's important.
If it matters, I shoot all images in RAW.
Any input as well as specific brand/model recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

P.S. If this is not the correct sub-forum to post this type of question, feel free to move it.

If you can afford it, I'd target something like a Dell U2414H. Runs you between $250-300, depending on current deals and where you buy it. Unless you want a huge monitor, 24 inches is usually plenty for desktop editing. And this is one of the nicer IPS monitors for the price. There are cheaper options available, but this is a pretty nice 'sweet spot' that satisfies a lot of photogs out there. I scarcely can think of a single complaint I've seen about this monitor --the UltraSharp line from Dell seems to get good reviews from just about everyone.

All monitors I'm familiar with will require some sort of aftermarket calibration.

Dell IPS LED as mentioned above. Calibrate with a Spyder 4 or similar.

I was eying up the Asus PA249Q or the Dell U2414H mentioned.

Quack Me Up wrote in post #16689139
I was eying up the Asus PA249Q or the Dell U2414H mentioned.

Both are nice. I've never used the ASUS, but it looks like the improvements in the ASUS over the Dell would mostly be a few cosmetic features that you're paying $100 more for. I can't see any huge performances differences.

Here's a few differences that I found in their respective tech descriptions.
Dell 96% sRGB, Asus 100% sRGB
Brightness Dell 250 cd/m2, Asus 350
Response time Dell 8ms, Asus 6ms
Asus 99% Adobe RGB, I can't find this spec on the Dell

Not sure if these specs are deal breakers or not but I'm leaning towards the Asus.

Quack Me Up wrote in post #16689874
Here's a few differences that I found in their respective tech descriptions.
Dell 96% sRGB, Asus 100% sRGB
Brightness Dell 250 cd/m2, Asus 350
Response time Dell 8ms, Asus 6ms
Asus 99% Adobe RGB, I can't find this spec on the Dell

Not sure if these specs are deal breakers or not but I'm leaning towards the Asus.

If you have the extra $100, go for it. The only number there that really jumps out at me is the response time....but that difference probably wouldn't mean a bit of difference to anyone but an extreme gamer.

I bought the Asus PA249Q and hooked it up today. Since this is a factory calibrated monitor and I don't have an aftermarket calibrator, is there any other adjustments that you guys do to a new monitor setup or pretty much just plug and play?
Is there any brightness setting that seems to be a good starting point for doing post processing work or just personal preference?
Any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Take a look at this link http://www.lagom.nl/lc​d-test/. If you know what you are looking at these charts/images will give you a decent start. Ideally you want the white balance of the monitor to be at 6500k and the gamma to be 2.2 for web standard sRGB. For photo editing I recommend keeping your monitor on the darker side around 150cd/m2, but their are some people that like their monitors in the 80-100cd/m2 range.

I would advise purchasing some monitor calibration hardware/software. With out the hardware their is no way that you can really color profile your monitor.

Another good basic resource is http://www.cambridgein​colour.com/color-management-printing.htm