What Is 1680x1050

Overview

The 1680x1050 resolution is a display standard that specifies a screen's pixel dimensions: 1,680 pixels horizontally and 1,050 pixels vertically, resulting in a total of 1,764,000 pixels. This resolution is formally known as WSXGA+, which stands for Wide Super Extended Graphics Array Plus. It belongs to the family of widescreen resolutions developed during the early 2000s to meet the growing demand for wider, more immersive screens, particularly for productivity and multimedia applications.

WSXGA+ emerged in the mid-2000s as a successor to the 1440x900 (WXGA) resolution, offering improved vertical space and a more balanced aspect ratio. It was particularly popular in the 20-inch to 24-inch monitor range, where its 16:10 aspect ratio provided extra vertical real estate beneficial for office work, coding, and document editing. Unlike the now-dominant 16:9 standard, 16:10 offered a compromise between screen width and usable height, making it ideal for multitasking and reading long web pages or documents.

The significance of 1680x1050 lies in its role as a transitional standard during a pivotal time in display technology. Between 2005 and 2012, it became a favorite among professionals and enthusiasts who valued screen real estate over cinematic widescreen formats. Although largely superseded by 16:9 resolutions like 1920x1080 (Full HD), 1680x1050 remains notable for its balance of clarity, usability, and efficiency in pre-HD computing environments.

How It Works

Understanding how 1680x1050 functions requires examining the underlying technology of digital displays and how pixels are arranged to form images. Each pixel on a screen using this resolution is a discrete unit capable of displaying color and brightness, and the total number—1.76 million—determines the level of detail the screen can render. The arrangement in a 16:10 grid optimizes both horizontal and vertical space for a variety of applications, from video playback to spreadsheet editing.

• Resolution: Refers to the total number of pixels displayed. At 1680x1050, the screen renders 1,680 pixels across and 1,050 down, creating a sharp and detailed image suitable for both work and entertainment.
• Aspect Ratio: The 16:10 proportion means the screen is 1.6 times wider than it is tall, offering more vertical space than 16:9, which benefits productivity tasks like coding, word processing, and web browsing.
• Pixel Density: On a 22-inch monitor, 1680x1050 yields a pixel density of approximately 90 pixels per inch (PPI), providing clear text and images without requiring scaling.
• Refresh Rate: Most 1680x1050 monitors supported a standard 60Hz refresh rate, though some professional models offered 75Hz for smoother motion.
• Signal Interface: These displays typically used DVI or VGA connections, with DVI being preferred for digital clarity and reduced signal degradation.
• Backlighting: Early models used CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) backlights, while later versions transitioned to LED, improving energy efficiency and contrast ratios.

Key Details and Comparisons

The comparison above highlights how 1680x1050 sits between lower and higher resolutions in terms of pixel count and usability. While it has fewer total pixels than Full HD (1920x1080), it offers more vertical space than 1366x768 and 1440x900, making it ideal for productivity. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides 150 more vertical pixels than 1440x900, allowing users to view more content without scrolling. This made it a favorite among office workers and developers during its peak. However, the industry-wide shift toward 16:9 after 2010, driven by cost-effective manufacturing and HD video standards, led to the decline of 1680x1050 in consumer devices.

Real-World Examples

Throughout the late 2000s, numerous manufacturers adopted 1680x1050 for their mid-range and professional displays. Dell’s UltraSharp series, including the Dell 2407WFP and 2209WA, featured this resolution and were praised for color accuracy and build quality. Apple also used 1680x1050 in several models of the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2006–2012), offering a crisp and balanced viewing experience ideal for creative professionals.

Even today, some legacy systems and industrial applications continue to use 1680x1050 monitors due to their reliability and compatibility with older software. The resolution remains supported in modern operating systems, including Windows 10/11 and Linux distributions, ensuring backward compatibility.

1. Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP – A 24-inch monitor popular in design and office environments.
2. HP LP2475w – A high-end 24-inch display used in corporate settings.
3. Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Mid-2010) – Featured 1680x1050 on a glossy LED-backlit display.
4. LG L226WPQ – A 22-inch widescreen monitor known for its IPS panel and color fidelity.

Why It Matters

Though no longer a mainstream standard, 1680x1050 played a crucial role in shaping modern display expectations. Its emphasis on productivity-oriented screen geometry influenced later resolutions and panel designs, even as the market shifted toward entertainment-focused 16:9 formats.

• Impact: Set a benchmark for productivity displays by prioritizing vertical space over cinematic width.
• Legacy: Influenced the resurgence of 16:10 in modern laptops like the MacBook Air and Microsoft Surface.
• Efficiency: Balanced performance and clarity without demanding high GPU power, ideal for business machines.
• Compatibility: Remains supported in current operating systems and graphics drivers.
• User Experience: Reduced need for scrolling in documents and web pages, improving workflow efficiency.

Today, the principles behind 1680x1050—especially the value of vertical screen space—are being revisited in premium laptops and monitors. As remote work and multitasking grow in importance, the lessons from this resolution continue to inform display design, proving that its impact extends far beyond its era of peak popularity.