You dont have to buy Apple monitors for your MacsYou dont have to buy Apple monitors for your Macs

Apple makes gorgeous monitors, and once upon a time, they were the only game in town for connecting to Macintosh computers, thanks to proprietary connectors. However, these days you can use just about any monitor with a Mac.Thats true for primary monitors for Mac Pros and Mac Minis, and equally true for secondary monitors for MacBooks and iMacs.

Why would you want to use an Apple monitor? Well, because they look great, of course. You can also get one-stop shopping, picking up a monitor at the same time (and in the same purchase order) as the new Mac.

What would you want to use a non-Apple monitor? Cost is one reason  in many cases, you can get monitors with the same or better specs for a lower cost. Also, in many cases, non-Apple monitors may come in sizes that you prefer, or have extra features that youd like, such as built-in speakers.

Im the poster boy for using non-Apple monitors. When I used an 20 iMac as my primary computer, I went dual-monitor by hooking up a 24 HP screen. Nowadays, my primary computer is a 15 MacBook Pro, and when Im in the office its connected to a 30 Dell 300WFP display. (Work is better with a 2560x1600-pixel 30" display, my friends.)

Downside? None whatsoever. For example, the Apple 30 Cinema HD Display includes built-in powered USB and FireWire hubs, and the similar Dell 30 monitor only has a USB hub. Thats fine with me; I only have one FireWire accessory. On the other hand, the Dell monitor includes digital-camera media slots that can accommodate several sizes of CF and SD cards. Now, that is handy.

What about price? As of early December, Apple wants $1,799 for its 30 Cinema HD Display, ($2560x1600 pixels), $899 for its 23 Cinema HD Display (1920x1200 pixels), and $599 for its 20 Cinema Display (1680x1050 pixels).

The Dell 3007WFC costs $1,399 list, and is $1,189 after $210 in Instant Savings. Elsewhere, I found a Samsung SyncMaster 245BW 24-inch display (1920x1200 pixels) for only $459, and a NEC AccuSync ASLCD203WXM (1680x1050 pixels  with stereo speakers) lists for $278.

It pays to shop around. Just make sure you get a DVI-D monitor as modern Macs dont work natively with analog monitors without using adapters that degrade the image. Thats not an issue; all high-end monitors, and most others, support DVI-D digital connectivity.