A $250-400 27-inch monitor is only going to have 1920x1080 resolution, which I could get in a 22 or 24-inch package. I want the extra pixels, not the extra inches. It's like having a huge car that doesn't have any more leg room or cargo space than a compact. :-)
You're right about the AG coating on Dell monitors though. GRRRR, every time I look at buying a new monitor I am left completely unsatisfied with the current state of monitor technology. Maybe I'll just wait another 15 years until we have OLED and then I can be dissatisfied with those.