External Monitor vs just adding an iMac? Crazy or what?

I had posted an earlier question about an additional 2nd external monitor and received several responses that led me back to an Apple Cinema Display. I thought about that but because it was a matte finish versus a glossy finish it wasn't going to achieve the objective of matching my glossy finish on my MacBook Pro.
So, here's a thought. Given the cost of the 20" ACD, for a few hundred dollars more I could get a 20" iMac. As a bonus, you do get a second computer, a super combo drive, a cool new keyboard and mighty mouse. Crazy or what?
Now, the question. Since I am networked, is there a program that will allow me to use the iMac as a monitor slave? If so, has anyone used and had any experience doing so? Not that it's that big of a deal because I am setting up the two Macs to mirror one another; at least for shared documents.
Which leads me to my second question. Since I am only sharing "Documents", and I am networked, what is the best way to handle this?
Thanks as usual for everyone's fine support and contribution.

RE: +Since I am networked, is there a program that will allow me to use the iMac as a monitor slave?+
http://www.screenrecycler.com/home.html
RE: Synching 2 macs
http://www.qdea.com/pages/pages-syncx/syncx1.html
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Utilities/FileSynchronizing_Utilities/QuickSync__For_MacOSX.html
Hope this helps...

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