Using an external display on an Apple iBook

I just got a new PC and a 17″ Acer LCD display recently. So I’ve been using my iBook and PC on a KVM switch. My PC is set to 1280×1024 resolution and the iBook maxed out at 1024×768 which is it’s native resolution. Problem was that it looked really bad at that resolution on a 17″ LCD that can do better. I wasn’t able to find any information on how to disable the iBook’s LCD and have it just use my 17″ LCD at an increased read. So I just went on experimenting. Screen Spanning Dr is required to enable clamshell mode. The follow is the process on how to do it.

To do this, plug in the external display. I had them mirroring if that made a difference. I closed the iBook and it automatically went to sleep. Then using an external keyboard, wake up the iBook while it’s still closed thus going into clamshell mode. Voilà the iBook’s LCD is disabled and the external display is on. Then crank up the resolution! Mac OS X looks beautiful at 1280×1024 res. I suggest leaving the iBook open to prevent overheating. The LCD will still be off. The iBook is made to dissipate heat through the keyboard.