Vista - Help with choosing monitor resolution size

My 3:4 flat panel LCD monitor's native resolution is 1280X1024. However, when I set Vista to that resolution, the text and everything else is very, very small. The next best resoultion (i.e., without elongation distortion) is 1152X864. I thought that in order to maximize one's screen picture, one should run at native resolution, but this doesn't seem to be the case. I also do a little photo processing and want the best screen resolution for that. It seems that if I want undistorted screen images and reasonable sized text, I have to compromise with 1152X864; or am I missing something? Thanks for you help.

Hello flycaster.
One of us is probably missing something, because usually the native resolution is indeed the best, but it depends on your monitor and your viewing preferences as well.
For instance, a small 17" monitor could use up to 1280x1024, but the result would be rather small in 17", so depending on your needs you might have to go with a different resolution.
However, there are other factors that might cause you problems with that. Are you running any special graphics software that might try to stretch your screen?
Intel Graphics drivers for instance include this option.
Finally, you could be more specific by letting us know your screen brand and model. And do you really mean 3:4 or 4:3??

Regards

Hi flycaster,

You can still keep the best resolution and adjust the text size. Go here and you can change the DPI scale to 120 or a custom size. You can also make the desktop icons bigger by right clicking on the desktop- View.

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Thanks, Airbot. You hit the nail on the head. Got readable text that is unbelievably clean on my 19" Samsung 193P.

You bet, I knew what you were talking about. I didn't like the smallness at first either, but I got used to it.