20" LCD Monitor - NEC 2070nx or??? - Help....

I'm looking to replace my old CRT with an LCD monitor, at first I'd decided on the Dell 20.1", but then read that it was now using a different panel type to S-IPS.

There seems to be a fair bit of talk on here of the NEC 2070nx, which fits in the budget I'm looking to spend.

I'm after something primarily for photo editing, but certainly not at a pro level...

I've read a few reviews, but they seem to be mixed, this one didn't rate it at all:
http://www.gcn.com/print/24_16/36171-1.html
It is simply a case of it not being calibrated?

I'll be calibrating with a Spyder in any case..

The 3rd review here, didn't rate it as spectacular:

http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=3N0R&aQuicklinx=3VDP&fb=240&InMerch=1&v=3#infoarea
though it is for gaming....

What do people who've bought this think of it?

What are the alternatives, in the sub-£500 market?

Also, though it should probably should be another thread - what tests should I be running on any new monitor?

Thanks
J