If your video card can support the wide resolution, it won't have any problem and you shouldn't have to stretch your icons/windows. If your video card doesn't support the proper resolution, you will have stretching and it will be difficult with every program you run.
I edit with Sony Vegas on a 19" wide display and it's great because more of the timeline is shown.
BTW, your applications won't display any differently on a wide screen (if the card can handle it). It will just show more because there is more screen real-estate width-wise.