However, the text does appear to be harder to read. It's the resolution. The blue background doesn't help as it focuses the eyes to work harder when reading text.
I suppose I agree with the above points about making the site a 16:10 aspect. That would certainly help.
Most folk use widescreen monitors now and some browsers will re-shape the site automatically if needs be (like mobile phone broswers).
Unless you had the latter in mind?
But apart from that.....the new look gets a thumbs up from me