Is it ok to use lower screen resolutions than 1280x800?

[BingClawsby]

I have a rev 2.1 2007 macbook that I use with an ext 22" monitor. OS is Snow Leopard 10.6.7

Right now I just got Photoshop CS5 and am using the macbook display for the palettes and the external monitor for image files. Thing is, while I normally had the macbooks screen rez at its native 1280x800, but the text and other parameters on the photoshop palettes are too friggin small!

So now I switched it to 1152x720 and its a lot better. But I'm wondering cause I've forgotten mostly...don't some apps demand certain screen resolutions to run?
I also just noticed while searching about about snow leopard having something called resolution independence?

I can't remember if Logic or Soundtrack Pro requires a certain resolution, but when I do use these I place them over onto the ext 22" and, again, use the macbook for plugin GUI's and such.

So is there anything wrong with me going a bit lower to 1152x720?

Thanks

 

[movieboy23]

So far as I know I don't think there's any problem with using a lower screen resolution, especially if the external display is set as the primary monitor.

And worst case scenario is programs will ask to revert to a display setting at launch, but that's never really been the case in my experience.

 

[solaris7]

NO, DON'T DO IT!!! Your macbook might blow up!

 

[alust2013]

That will be fine. If a program refuses to open, it will typically tell you it needs more resolution, or you at least have a good idea why.

 

[ThaDoggg]

You can use whatever resolution you want that's why it gives you an option. Some programs might not work with a lower resolution but generally you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[mechanopony]

NO, DON'T DO IT!!! Your macbook might blow up!

lol, there should be a "like" button for that comment

 

[tmagman]

sometimes its not even that the program won't run. but the fact that everything won't fit on the screen. Thats what the recommended resolution is based on. The toolbars and menus are built at a certain size for photoshop and others like it, so they wont scale (nor would you want them to) on smaller monitors- you'd just end up with a tiny working space.

 

[BingClawsby]

Great. Thanks everybody!