I agree... unless you're doing photoshop or some kind of audio mixing where you absolutely need to have a ton of screen in a little space, 1024 x 768 is the way to go.
And I do web-development 9-5, Sir Nuke is correct, the majority of the world is still in the "Stone Age".
The majority of computer uses are also on 17" monitors... it's not about Money... it's about how much of your desk at home you are willing to sacrifice to big hulks of plastic. So while it may be great to see 1280x1024 on your 21" screen... it's a little too tiny even on the 19"