External monitor for iBook?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

I have a 12" iBook, which I enjoy for its portability and price, but as a translator, I'm running into the issue of overcrowded desktops. I need to have both the original Japanese and my English translation open, and also a couple of online glossaries. That's an awful lot for a 12" screen!

I had thought that only PowerBooks could take external monitors, but lately, while looking for something else, I discovered that the box the iBook came in contains a connector that looks as if it's for a video monitor.

So is there any kind of external monitor that would work with an iBook? Perhaps something that was actually designed for a PC?

If so, what specs should I look for?

Thanks!

[politicat]

1. iBooks can't dual head though they can use an external monitor.

Dual heading means having two monitors, and only powerbooks can do that.

However, you can use a bigger monitor with an ibook. I used to use a 19 inch with my iBook, as well as a fullsized keyboard and trackball.

Any monitor will work. There was a dongle thingy that came with your ibook that has a little screen icon on it - that's what you use to plug the monitor into the ibook.

Check your user manual or Help.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. Thanks!

I already use a keyboard and mouse on my iBook when I'm working in my home office, so it's nice to know that I can work with an external monitor as well.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. Well, nearly a month after asking the question, I bought a 17" LCD monitor

for my iBook, and it works great! :7

[alfredo]

4. Here's another solution

If you are not in a place where you have access to an external monitor, you can have virtual desktops.

http://desktopmanager.berlios.de/

screenshots
http://desktopmanager.berlios.de/screenshots.php

I've been using this application for years and have grown dependent on it. I have four desktops, but you can set it up for two or three desktops.