as i am about to look for a ibook i have searched around a bit and the best thing you can do to your iBook is
installing "screen spanning doctor " , means you can use a second monitor not only to mirror your desktop , but also to extend your desktop to a monitor
or use clamshell mode (means lid closed )while the ibook is connected to a a Monitor and keyboard and mouse and you can use higher resolutions on the external monitor too by using screen spanning doctor , as apple has limited the resolution on external to 1024x768
because the iBook offers the same features as the powerbook, but Apple has disabled them in open firmware to boost sales of the more expensive powerbook's and "screen spanning doctor" enables them again
http://www.rutemoeller.com/mp/ibook/ibook_e.html