Which resolution to target?

800 x 600 or 1024 x 768

[pixelmade]

As of May '05, thecounter.com has 28% of users at 800 x 600. In May '04, they had it at 38%.

At what threshold will it be acceptable to design specifically for 1024 x 768?

When do you predict this threshold will be reached? Keep in mind that it took 2 years for 640 x 480 to drop from 11% to 4%.

[encyclo]

It's not safe yet or even ever: once you reach the larger screen sizes (from 1024x768 and up) there are an increasing number of users who are not running their browser window full screen. So the statistics might indicate that the screen is large enough for your design, but the user still is presented with a sideways-scroll.

From a user perspective a fluid-width layout is best, or if fixed width, keep it under 780px.

[Tomness]

It's avereaged at 45% of the world are using 800x600

I personaly think it is unproffesional to design for anything bigger. And it will bennafit your website in the long run, 'cause that apprent percentage will not get to see your site at it's best.

[Purple Martin]

Remember that although the proportion of users with larger resolutions is on the rise, the proportion of users with very small resolutions is also increasing as PDAs and other mobile devices become more popular.

You should never target a set resolution: always design your pages to be fluid so they'll fit ANY screen size.

[jim_w]

encyclo and Purple Martin are correct. I have a page that I launch a new browser from in 800x600 to see how my pages look. And I often go to other web sites in that mode.

My pages reformat no matter what the resolution is. Even the dreaded WEBTV

[Tomness]

Remember that although the proportion of users with larger resolutions is on the rise, the proportion of users with very small resolutions is also increasing as PDAs and other mobile devices become more popular.

You should never target a set resolution: always design your pages to be fluid so they'll fit ANY screen size.

I have never considered PDAs and mobiles, but I do agree.

Mobile phones are the devil.

[imstillatwork]

A fluid site is hard to use and looks like crap on a 1600 x whatever widescreen laptop.

[tedster]

When possible I go fluid with max-width on the stretchy bits. You can use scripting in css to get IE to approximate max-width.