Why is 1280x1024 so popular?

[Dixius99]

After installing the ATI driver for my video card, one of the resolutions available was 1280x1024, which I would hazard to say is one of the more popular resolutions people use.

I'm wondering, though, why is 1280x1024 so popular. It's the only "standard" resolution with a 5x4 aspect ratio, instead of 4x3 aspect ratios, such as:

• 640x480
• 800x600
• 1024x768
• 1152x864
• 1600x1200

Almost all CRT monitors have a 4x3 aspect ratio, while many LCD monitors have a 5x4 ratio. Is 1280x1024 popular because of LCDs?

To maintain the native aspect ratio on a CRT, and to avoid distortion, shouldn't most users actually be running 1280x960?

[user1397]

After installing the ATI driver for my video card, one of the resolutions available was 1280x1024, which I would hazard to say is one of the more popular resolutions people use.

I'm wondering, though, why is 1280x1024 so popular. It's the only "standard" resolution with a 5x4 aspect ratio, instead of 4x3 aspect ratios, such as:

• 640x480
• 800x600
• 1024x768
• 1152x864
• 1600x1200

Almost all CRT monitors have a 4x3 aspect ratio, while many LCD monitors have a 5x4 ratio. Is 1280x1024 popular because of LCDs?

To maintain the native aspect ratio on a CRT, and to avoid distortion, shouldn't most users actually be running 1280x960?

my 17" CRT looks fine with my 1280X1024 resolution.

[Demio]

My LCD's default resolution is 1280x1024. Actually it doesn't support anything higher than that.

[ComplexNumber]

i use 1024x768 because it seems to look best on my system.

[bonzodog]

I use 1280 x 1024 simply because that is the optimal operating resolution for my LCD.

[Virak]

I use it because it's the highest resolution my monitor is capable of.

[Dual Cortex]

Same as above.

[_simon_]

Yep same as above, it's the highest resolution my 19" LCD will go to.

[maagimies]

I used 1280x1024 with my CRT monitor until I realised how stretched everything actually was, a 100x100 wasn't square. o_O (Far from it)
I would have had to adjust the monitor to make the width smaller, but that would have but black space on both sides.
With 1280x960 I can utilise my whole screenspace, without things distorting
ehm, to answer the question of this thread: maybe they don't just care?

[ComplexNumber]

I used 1280x1024 with my CRT monitor until I realised how stretched everything actually was, a 100x100 wasn't square. o_O (Far from it)
I would have had to adjust the monitor to make the width smaller, but that would have but black space on both sides.
With 1280x960 I can utilise my whole screenspace, without things distorting
ehm, to answer the question of this thread: maybe they don't just care?

so maybe 1024x768(and other 4x3) fit in more closely to the dimension of a typical monitor.