Abstract: A portable x-ray viewer is configured as a clipboard. The clipboard configuration makes the portable x-ray viewer easy to handle by doctors and other medical personnel. Since the viewer is portable, the number of required x-ray viewers in a doctor's office or a medical facility is greatly reduced, thus reducing the overall cost. In addition, the portable x-ray viewer is provided with an automatic control for controlling the viewer. In particular, in accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the viewer is automatically turned on when an x-ray is inserted and is automatically turned off when the x-ray is removed. As such, use of the x-ray viewer is facilitated for medical personnel and also eliminates the problem of premature burnout of the display or lamp when the x-ray viewer is left on for extended periods of time.