Since we're pimping terminal multiplexers, I quite enjoy tmux (http://tmux.sourceforge.net/). I used to use screen, but found tmux to be faster, smoother, and have more logical key-combos (your mileage may vary).
1/ Configs for status prompt were easier to grok
2/ Actively maintained. I used to use vertical split all the time and tmux had that where as gnu screen required hack patches.
If you only want persistence, screen, tmux, dtach do pretty much the same thing.
Main reasons for my move were
* Tmux handles split screens better (had horrible lag in screen, its a known bug)
* Panel and window navigation is easier in Tmux
Both screen and tmux offer multiple persistent sessions, the difference is the command syntax.
Back when I was deciding on a terminal multiplexer I picked tmux over screen because session sharing seemed to be done in a more sane way. But then again, had I used screen for any length of time I'm sure I'd have gotten used to it.