yes, usually each manufacture will state somewhere their "own" recommended rez/refresh. but across the board for general sizes i've found "recommended resolutions" are:
17" : 1024x768@85@32
19" : 1280x1024@85@32
21"+ : 1600x1200@85@32
refresh and color depth can be different, but these i'm sure are the most common. those are "general use" resolutions for monitors. there are monitors known as "high resolution monitors", usually a company's "pro" series. eg.
17" : 1280x1024@85@32 or <
19" : 1600x1200@85@32 or <
21" + : 1920x1440@85@32 or <
the high rez monitors can go upto a higher rez at an acceptable refresh rate without any or less distortion than a regular monitor. looking for a monitor you want to see what the monitor's recommended rez/refresh/color is, not it's maximum. using a monitor outside of it's recommended specs, whether it be higher or lower than them. can result in image distortion and extra wear on the components inside. i don't know how severe the consequences are, i mean i've ran an older mag-innovision 17" out of spec since i've had it, and it's going on 4 yrs. granted i can't run it at the best refresh and there is noticeable distortion, but that's why it's my second monitor.
[insert philosophical statement here]