1024×768 is the new 800×600! (Screen resolutions)
April 7, 2008 – 9:46 pm
If you’ve designed, or at least have been somewhat involved in the design of a website, then it’s probably been hammered into your head that your site must be minimally viewable at 800×600.
Two or three years ago, I agreed with this notion. I don’t anymore. You’re pretty safe with using 1024×768 as a minimum screen resolution viewing size for your site. I’m not the only one that agrees…
W3Schools browser statistics lists computers with a 800×600 resolution at 14% in 2007, down 3% from the year before. It’s pretty safe to assume that it’s around 10% in 2008.
10% seems like a pretty significant number, but do you really want to limit the content on your site for a potential 10%? It will leave you much less space above the fold for images, embedded videos, web apps, etc. Is giving up some of that content really worth 10%?
I suppose it’s a trade-off you have to make. I made up my mind. I think I’m in pretty good company.
One thing to consider — if your site has significant readership from older and/or less technically savvy users, then it might be best to stick with 800×600. Those users are probably more likely to have smaller resolutions. If your site sways to the younger crowd, 1024×768 all the way!
Since I personally know all five people that view my site, I feel pretty confident in my decision.
(oh yeah, and of course Google Analytics will tell you everything you need to know about your readers)
One Response
even my 12″ iBook is 1024×768
By nelson on Apr 7, 2008 - 11:12 pm