It's not so much the refresh rate as more a combination of response speed and brightness and contrast. Certain models will try and compensate lower ability with higher brightness. The refresh rate is more of a moot point on LCD's as they do not have the same build as CRT's.
I've seen in the last year that LCD's have now hit a standard that just about anybody can use them. The lower response times made them viable for gamers, which was the biggest stumbling block to them becoming a major hit.
As for 19" @ 1600x1200 ... check out a 20" they should run that. ViewSonic make a relatively nice one, as well as a nifty little 23" 1900x1200.
