Digital Workshop

Because I ran into a screen resolution issue with another program, I did some checking to see what the current usage of various resolutions is, as compiled by TheCounter.com (based on visits to registered websites).

800x600:These showed a decreasing use during 2005, and in April 2006, only 16% of visitors used this resolution.
1024x768: This showed an increase during 2005, and in April stood at 60%.
1280x1024: 14%. I found this interesting because this has an aspect ratio of 1:1.25, which differs (on my screen, anyway) significantly from the more common 1:1.33 aspect ratio.
1152x864: 3%
Unknown: scored 2%
640x480: 0
1600x1200: 0

Admittedly, it is conceivable that some clients might use 640x480 and not access the internet, and therefore not be recorded.

Ray --

Thanks for sharing your statisics on the most popular computer monitor screen resolutions. I've got www.thecounter.com/stats in My Favorities list, but hadn't looked at it recently. It also tells you stats about Operating Systems. Windows XP has 80% as of May 2006.

It was based on this information that I changed my standard screen resolution for my presentations to 1024x768 from 800x600 last year. I still ask clients if they have any idea what their target audience is using for screen resolution size. If you are dealing with an industry/profession which is known for being cheap or anti-technology, you might have to go with a lower resolution. If your audience is almost entirely in the 16% using 800x600, then you have to go with the majority.