We've covered this tangentally in other polls, but it's been brought to my attention that perhaps the range of screen resolutions of our members might be a bit wider than I suspected. I assumed that, as graphics editors, everyone was running at a high (or very high) resolution, and used that assumption when designing this site. But we all know about assumptions, so let's find out definitively.

What is your screen resolution?

On my computer, I'm running 1024 X 768. My wife's is set at 640 X 480. The menu is displayed just fine on mine, but on my wife's, part of the menu is cut off. I do my Photoshop work on mine, but at times I jump on hers to check things out.

Ed

I'm using 1280 x 1024 at 85hz refresh rate. I'd use 1600 x 1200 for the size, but at that resolution I can only get a 72hz refresh rate out of my video card, which I don't really like.

- David

I had to look at Properties to see what I have it set at. It's not set at the highest setting but pretty close. I'm set at 1792 x 1344 pixels. I don't like to scroll very much. :)
DJ

Gee DJ, are you using a 40" monitor :aghast:

At that resolution everything must be microscopic :D

I'm with Ed.....1024x768 for working but if I want to read anything lengthy I switch back to 800x600...17" monitor.

:lol: I guess it's small because I see other peoples settings and everything looks so big but I don't even notice it. I don't have trouble reading anything and no I don't have a 40" (wish I did) but I do have a 21".
I think my idea of the perfect computer set up is a 70" monitor (like the big screen tvs) with a recliner so I can put my feet up and relax and everything at my finger tips. Ergonomics at their best. :D
DJ

My monitor is set at 1024 X 768.

but my screen text size is set to large on the web, just to help my glasses a bit :)

I voted 800x600, but really I'm with Ed & Jill. I switch it to 1024x768 when working. I just can't read web pages and email comfortably at the higher resolution.

:)
Jak

I'm using 1280x1024 on a 20" monitor.

Gene

I use 1024x768 all the time with a 17" monitor, and have no problems working with Photoshop and reading print.:oldman:

I'm using 1280x1024 on a 14" laptop. It works fine with Photoshop and the forum and the scrolling is at a minimum.

Alan

1024x768 on a 20" monitor - but I also use Double Desktop a neat little free utility that I've had for years and don't think I could live without. Keep the program on one side and my notes on the other.

Jim Conway

I dont seem to vary much from the norm either:) I run 1600x1200 on a dual 21" displays - refresh rate about 85

Photoshop: also sometimes (twice;) ) hook it up to the television as I have developed content for web tv.

I use 1024/768 on a 17", wish it were larger, like 21"
Over on the Paint Shop Pro NG, some of the folks use 2 monitors.

832x624 for me, most of the time. I got used to working in 800x600 because that was IT (MAX) where I worked, and so I feel like 832x624 is plenty of room. I tried 1024x768 but just don't like it much. Maybe if I had more than a 15 inch monitor I would, but I don't.

Something has to give when you throw all your money at a computer. Monitor was the compromise.
:wavey:

Sadly one of my monitors has gone kaput so once again I am down to single monitor. However I have also discovered to my annoyance that Windows XP caps your refresh rate at 60hz.

Originally posted by Mike Needham
However I have also discovered to my annoyance that Windows XP caps your refresh rate at 60hz.
really? I bet it has to do with your video card. what kind do you have? I've got a Nvidia TNT2 32MB AGP card and a 19" Samsung monitor, and I can get 1280x1024 @ 85 hz (or 1600x1200 @ 72 hz, which I don't like because the refresh rate is too low). at lower rez, I can get a way higher refresh rate.

- David :)

I have also discovered to my annoyance that Windows XP caps your refresh rate at 60hz
I agree with David, something is strange there. Could also be that you're using a no-name brand monitor. If your monitor isn't PnP, you end up with a pretty useless default.

Something has to give when you throw all your money at a computer. Monitor was the compromise
Unfortunately, that's the wrong way to look at it [pun intended ;)]. Your eyes are your most important asset, and a lousy monitor can really mess them up. I'd rather go for knocking off a bit of horsepower on the PC and getting a really top-end monitor - especially if you're into graphics work or even spend a fair amount of time in games.

I use 1280x1024 on my 19" Iiyama and 1024x768 on my 13.3" laptop.

Cheers,
Barry

1280x1024 x 2 displays. Drives me nuts to help others using only one screen--gotta keep opening/closing/moving palettes, and if I bump the resolution up, I can't read the text or icons.

I use 1280x1024. This is primarily based on the fact that I use LCD monitors. With LCDs you need to operate them at the
"native" resolution of the monitor or text does not look good.

Most LCD monitors 17" or bigger use 1280x1024 as the native resolution. I don't know about the really big ones.

1152 x 870 for me.

Dave

I use dual monitors a 21" Sony set to 1024x768 and a 19" Sony set to 800x600.

This is cool since I can drag a page onto the 800x600 to see how most of the world will see it.

I keep all my pallets handy on #2, with ACDsee 2.42 running in the background.

It's great for surfing too, keep email open on one and surf on the other, or bid on eBay one and check PriceWatch on the other.

1024x768 on a 14" laptop, don't understand how anyone can have trouble reading print at this size. Suggest visit to opticians for those that do.

Gary, my corrected vision is horrible--heck, I had a cornea transplant just to go from legally blind in that eye to marginal. And the other has enough astigmatism to motion blur the broadside of a barn.

Big screens are my friends. :) If I had room and money, I'd run an Apple 30" Cinema display or two, instead of a 22" and a 19".

Kevin, sorry to hear of your eye problems. If they're so bad, are you sure this is the hobby for you ?

If they're so bad, are you sure this is the hobby for you ?
Hard to tell. I've been working in software for over 30 years, photographed my first wedding in 1978, and have been using digital imaging software since the mid-1980's (Photoshop since version 1). Oh, and have been teaching Photoshop to professional photographers for the last 3 years.

Perhaps I should just give that up and go into construction or something where I don't have to use a computer or camera.

I suspect ignoring well-meaning but clueless advice is a better idea, though. :)

...Oh, and have been teaching Photoshop to professional photographers for the last 3 years.

Perhaps I should just give that up and go into construction or something where I don't have to use a computer or camera.

Kevin...

Sounds like a career then... I do a lot of construction and still don't see "so good". But then after a hard day in the middle of the summer I don't smell so good either. :nod:

I use a 17" monitor @1152X870 75Hz. My old Sony 17" bit the dust so I traded it for the eMachine monitor I got with the PC I got a while back. The Sony cost about $1,000 when new and the eMachine cost about $450 with a 17" flat screen monitor almost thrown in. I'm hoping to get a 21" Sony or Viewsonics or both soon... Although I've been lusting over a new G5 Mac for a while :jaguar:.

...Kent

Kevin, Sensitive or what ? Take the chip off your shoulder, it's unbalancing you.

I am using 1280x1024 at a refresh rate of 85 Hz. Every thing looks great. No problems with the site, it seems to dynamically load OK with all the browsers I use.

**Paris**

I retract the 'well-intentioned' part. Would you have preferred me to simply answer your question without any explanation?

If they're so bad, are you sure this is the hobby for you ?
Yes


Kevin, Sensitive or what ? Take the chip off your shoulder, it's unbalancing you.

Probably what.

It just seemed strange* that someone would tell a contributor/visitor to a retouching forum that they might be in the wrong "hobby", simply on the basis of one post. I figured if you knew the background you might not be so hasty in your suggestion to find another "hobby". It appears I was incorrect. My apologies.

In the meantime, I'll continue saving for Apple's 30 inch Cinema. That and the Artisan should make a great combination, at a resolution I can use.

* Strange, odd, bizarre, rude, out of place, inappropriate, unexpected...

Kevin, Sorry if I caused you any offence. When I first posted the optician suggestion, it was meant as light hearted humour. I have seen your contributions to this site, and they are to be valued. When I suggested that possibly this was not the right hobby for you it was just that this is a very sight oriented activity, and possibly further damage to your sight could be caused by the large amount of close and detailed visual study that is usually involved in a restore.

If my meaning did not come across, you must put it down to my poor ability to express myself on screen. Sorry!

Two monitors both at 1280x1024; on the left is my 'reading and palette monitor' a 19" flat screen (Samsung SyncMaster 191T); on the right is my 'color' monitor' a 19" CRT (Sony Trinitron) set for 9300K. I don't ever actually 'proof' color on a monitor.

My eyes were at least 20/20 my whole life until I turned 40 and my near vision has been getting worse ever since. I'm wearing 1.5x reading glasses right now and that helps. If couldn't correct my vision, I think I might do something requiring less acuity. I spend a lot of time looking at film, prints and monitors and when I work without my glasses I miss stuff that I really don't want to miss. When I zoom in on an image I miss other stuff that's off the screen.

...construction is pretty appealing to me but building demolition and tree surgery are my backup professions.

Chip

I use 1600X1200 and use two monitors :happy:

1900 x 1220

and 1600 x 1200

85mhz

1600x1200 on a 22" Monitor

I also have an SVIDEO set-up entertainment purposes, would be nice to have a 32" Monitor to grace my room, but alas as a TV it is no good for anything too detailed.

1400x1050@85Hz on my 19" monitor

1900 x 1220
and 1600 x 1200
85mhz
now, that's one HELL of a monitor :lol: ;) justTeasing

i use 1400x1050, 1280x960, 1152x864, and 1024x768 on my 19", depending on what profile i'm logged to :D

btw, i'm surprised to see so many non-4:3 resolutions here (1280x1024 to be precise)... do you guys have some special monitors or what? :confused:

I run two monitors:

1280 x 960 Emac native
1600 x 1200 Medion

T

1680 x 1050 with millions of colors on my 20 inch Apple Studio Display.

I'm reporting in at 1600 x 1200 @ 85 Hz - Barco 21" CRT Monitor

1024 x 768 & 1280 x 1024 at 17" monitors :tongue:

I'm looking to get a 19" with 1600x1200 native resolution (TFT). Anyone have luck with this setup?

1280 x 960, at 100mHz, 19" Samsung SyncMaster 959NF.

I use 1280x1024 on a 16" screen. My husband has a hard time with it, though. He likes the 1024X768.

Bernie

i'm working on 2 24" LCD with a res of total 3800x1200 on my PC.

TWO??????????????????

I am so jealous it's not even funny!!!!! You GO!!! :D

it's not funny when you keep having to swing your head almost 90 degrees just to see from left of left screen to right of right screen.

could have swore it felt 'high' when i did it too often too fast.

1280x1024 on a 20" monitor.

~Nancy~

Using 1600x1200 on ViewSonic 21 inch monitor.

1280x1024 on a 17" laptop, LCD.

I am using 1024/768 on a 17" monitor. The type is a little small but Photoshop requires at least 1024 for the full screen and I am too lazy to keep swapping back and forth. .....Tom

Though my monitor is capable of displaying at 1600x1200 I still prefer to use 1024x768 :classic:

My desktop is 1280x1024 and my laptop is 1600x1200.

My desktop is set to 1280x1024

1280x800 on 15.4" wide screen laptop.....1600x1200 19" screen on pc
John

Dual display... I can't work with just one anymore, the difference an extra display makes for graphics work is huge. I have nothing fancy, just 2 HP CRTs... 21" and 17" at 1280x1024 and 1152x864 respectively.