What Resolution Is 1024×768? Know Everything You Want To

1024x768 is a classic screen resolution known as XGA (Extended Graphics Array) with a 4:3 aspect ratio. While not considered HD, it remains relevant for specific applications. This guide covers its meaning, comparisons, and modern use cases.

Part 1: What Resolution Is 1024×768?

Monitor size
Common Resolution used
Small monitors 640×480 and 800×600
17 inches 1024×768
19 inches 1280×1024 pixels and higher

What Does Resolution Mean?

It is important to understand what's the meaning of resolution, before we go into the resolution of 1024×768. Resolution is a measure of how clear and sharp an image or picture looks. Conversely, the resolution of a display device is the number of pixels displayed in each dimension. The term "display device" refers to any type of electronic device that can display images, including computer monitors, televisions, and mobile phones.

what does resolution mean

Usually, you write the resolution of a display device as a set of two numbers. The first number describes the number of horizontal pixels, and the second is the number of vertical pixels. For example, a resolution of 1024×768 means that the display device is capable of displaying 1024 horizontal pixels and 768 vertical pixels.

The resolution of a display device is essential because it determines the level of detail it can display. A higher resolution implies that more pixels can be used to display an image, and therefore more detail is shown. A lower resolution means that fewer pixels can be used to display an image, and therefore less detail will be visible.

The resolution is one of the most important factors when considering which device to buy. It's usually measured in terms of pixels per inch (PPI). And it can be anything from low-resolution monitors that only show up with very small text up through 4K displays capable enough for truly crispy photos.

Interestingly, changing your screen's resolution is a convenient feature on several operating systems. This is especially true if you're plugging in an external display with different functions than what comes with the laptop.

Also, the resolution of a computer monitor is one thing that can have a significant impact on how well it displays graphics and videos. The size or physical dimensions of the display will affect everything from text readability to video playback quality, so determining what works best for you might take some trial in error.

Types of Resolution

The resolution of a display device is of several types. For your information, we have brief descriptions of a few below.

different resolutions and their aspect ratio
  • HIGH DEFINITION (HD)

The resolution of HD is 1280x720 or 720p, which allows for a higher quality picture with more explicit text and images. Sometimes, a display resolution of 1920 x 1080 is also called HD, but it's not. The official name for 1920 x 1080 is Full HD.

  • WIDESCREEN (720 x 576)

The aspect ratio of 16:9 (1.77:1) is a wide-screen format that has replaced 4:3 because it offers more screen while maintaining image quality and lasts longer when displaying on an HDTV or computer monitor with higher resolutions.

  • VGA (VIDEO GRAPHICS ARRAY)

IBM developed the Video Graphics Array interface in 1987. This common standard resolution of 640x480 pixels at a refresh rate 60Hz is there on older computer monitors and televisions.

  • XGA (EXTENDED GRAPHICS ARRAY)

The XGA mode offers a high-resolution video display with a screen pixel resolution of 1024 by 768. It has two modes: XGA-1 and XGA-2. XGA-1 provides support for a resolution of 800×600 pixels for 65,536 colors at 16-bits/pixel and 1024×768 pixels for 256 colors at 8-bits/pixel. XGA-2 offered 800 x 600-pixel resolution with 16 mcolors having 24 bits/ and 1024 x 768 resolution in 65,536 colors.

  • HXGA (HYPER XGA)

HyperXGA is a category of XGA screen resolutions. "H" in "HXGA" stands for Hyper and hexadecimal, which means it has 16 times more pixels than XGA resolution.

What Resolution Is 1024x768

1024x768 is the Extended Graphics Array (XGA). XGA is a monitor standard introduced in 1990 by IBM and became most common among 1024 × 768 monitors.

XGA was developed to replace the previous VESA graphics display modes. The XGA standard was a more capable version of Super VGA, and became one particular subset within the broad range of capabilities covered under the "Super Versatile Graphic Adapter."

With a pixel density of 1,024 x 768 and support for up to 256 colors per pixel or 640x480 in high color (16 bits each), this low-resolution mode balances quality and file size. And this resolution is perfect if you want to view your video on older computers without higher-definition monitors.

XGA was an upgrade to IBM's older VGA, IBM 8514/A. Both added support for four new screen modes, including a resolution.

Note: The different resolutions available on video standards affect the quality of the display. Look at the table below for more clarity.

Part 2: The Application of 1024×768 Resolution

1024×768 resolution is not the most often used screen resolution in the US anymore. The data below will tell you how.

The screen resolution stats of Jan to Dec 2021 shows that 1024x728 were the 7th most used screen resolution for all platforms in the United States of America with a proportion of 3.84%. Moreover, the 1024×768 is the Top 1 resolution for Tablet screen resolution in the United States of America with 33.64% share. The best resolution for your tablet is 768 x 1024. As we can see, the statistics match, and it also depends on what kind of device you have- whether small or large screen models will affect this choice.

1024x728 is the 7th most used screen resolution for all platforms

But, according to the recent stats, the most used screen resolution has become 1920×1080.

screen resolution in us

Part 3: What Aspect Ratio Is 1024×768?

The 1024x768 aspect ratio is 4:3. Here's how to calculate it: divide 1024 by 768, and you get 1.33 as the answer. If you divide 1024 by 4, you get 56; then multiply it by 3, and you get 768.

Comparison: 1024x768 vs. 720p vs. 1080p

Feature
Aspect Ratio
Total Pixels
Common Use
1024x768 (XGA) 4:3 786,432 Older monitors, tablets, compatibility mode
1280x720 (HD) 16:9 921,600 HD Television, YouTube HD
1920x1080 (Full HD) 16:9 2,073,600 Modern monitors, Blu-ray, streaming

Part 4: How to Change Your Screen Resolution to 1024x768?

You can change your computer's minimum resolution requirement by temporarily changing it to 1024x768. Follow the steps below to do it:

  • Step 1: Go to the Start menu bar. Hover on it. Select Settings > System > Display
  • Step 2: Click on Display Resolution. A dropdown menu will show you several options. Select 1024x768 and tap on it.
  • Step 3: A window prompt will ask you "Keep these display settings" or "Revert". Click on "Keep these display settings.
change computer display to 1024×768

Note: If you notice that your screen resolution has changed unexpectedly, it may be because your graphics drivers need an update. Check and update immediately for optimum results. You can go through Start > Settings > Update & Security> Windows Update to see available updates for your Windows PC.

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The Bottom Line

1024x768 is a resolution that has been around for many years, and it's still used by some people today. It was one of the first resolutions to offer more than enough on-screen space to display multiple windows. Although 1024x768 is not as common as it once was, people still use it because they find it comfortable and easy to work with.

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Part 5: More Related Questions and Answers

No, 1024x768 is not 720p. The resolution on a 1024x768 panel can only result in 768 lines, even if everything is scaled down to fit the smaller screen size. Also, 768p is not a resolution. 1080p is the resolution most people are familiar with, but 720p and 1080i/p can be seen in some source material.
Note that the standard HD display resolution of 720p comes from 1280x720 pixels with progressive scanning at an aspect ratio of 16x9.

1024x768 is not a higher resolution, whereas 1080p is. The higher resolution means better image. 1080p is generally 1920x1080 which means it has more individual pixels and thus offers higher image quality or the ability to make larger screens with similar spacing between them. Therefore, you can say that 1024x768 is not better than 1080p.

HD is typically set to display in the 720p or 1080p range. HD is 1280x720 which is 720p. And Full HD is 1080p which is 1920x1080.
HD is not an option with 1024 because the resolution you would be playing has a 4:3 aspect ratio, while HD usually requires 16x9 to be displayed properly. So, the answer is that 1024x768 is not HD.

Yeah, it most certainly does. Most LCD monitors can easily manage a 1024 x 768-pixel display even if they were made for 1280 x1024 pixels.

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