Is 1024x768 a wide screen? Laptop Screen

I have acer 4520 and its a 1024x768 and Im downloading a national Geographic wallpaper 1280x1024... will this reduce its quality?

What are the resolution that is best for my laptop wallpaper? Is it good to download a higher resolution?

any further advice, tips, hints, secrets aside but related to my question?

tnx and by the way I'm not an english speaker... so I might have a mistake...