[kupan787]

Ok, I have a G5 with a 9600xt, and some cheapo MAG monitor (does a max of 1600x1200). At any rate, I have a question. Which is the correct resolution one should use, 1280x1024 or 1280x960? doing some calculations I see that:

16x9 - 1.77778
1600x1200 - 1.3333
1344x1008 - 1.3333
1280x1024 - 1.25
1280x960 - 1.3333
1024x768 - 1.3333
800x600 - 1.3333
640x480 - 1.3333
4x3 - 1.3333

So I would assume that 1280x960 is the correct choice. However, I wonder why 1280x1024 is even an option then, and why on many websites I see it as the resolution of choice above 1024x768. Is there something I am missing here? I would rather not have things looked squished or stretched by choosing the wrong resolution.

[Luca Rescigno]

1280x1024 became popular because Sun used to make old 5:4 aspect ratio monitors that did 1280x1024 without distortion. For some odd reason that I do not understand, everyone latched onto the resolution even though the aspect ratio didn't match most CRTs and resulted in distortion.

Yes, you want to use 1280x960. 1280x1024 should never have been created. It should not exist.

[tooki]

And then, for some reason, they decided to make all the non-widescreen LCDs in 17, 18, and 19 inches be 1280x1024 as well.

tooki

[Luca Rescigno]

But at least those have square pixels and a physical aspect ratio of 5:4. At least, I'm pretty sure they do... has anyone tried measuring the width and height of their 17-19" LCD to see if it's actually 5:4? I know that almost all CRTs are 4:3 regardless of their size.

[iDaver]

I had a 17" Apple Studio (LCD) Display and it was indeed 5:4 (measured with a ruler) and 1280x1024 pixels. As mentioned, many LCD displays, 17-19, are still like that, while all CRTs are 4:3. Don't use the 1280x1024 setting on a CRT, as everything will appear squished.