Apple has appealed to graphics and video professionals for a long time, but the announcement last year of the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Retina Display) solidified it for many. But while the Retina Display may be beautiful, at 13 or 15 inches it's still fairly small. It's great if you want to do some video work on the road, letting you edit 1080p video at full resolution without giving up your palettes and toolbars, but when you're back in your editing room or office, you want something larger.

If you've ever coveted the Apple iMac 27-Inch (Late 2012) due to its larger 27-inch display, stop and consider whether you really need everything else that goes with it. If a MacBook Pro (or even the more portable MacBook Air) offers all of the processing and graphics power you need, then a larger display is much more versatile solution, and it will likely save you some cash. Thankfully, there are several monitors that offer this same high-resolution appeal, and you can enjoy these larger displays even without a Retina-equipped MacBook.

Apple offers its own Thunderbolt Display, but while it will give you a high-resolution display and a sleek design reminiscent of the iMac, it's far from the only game in town. If you're looking for a larger display for your MacBook Pro, there are several options. What these alternatives don't offer, however, is the Apple Dock capability (which includes connectivity for peripherals like keyboard, mice, and drives) which the Apple Thunderbolt Display offers thanks to the data capability of its Thunderbolt port.

The MacBook Pro is equipped with both Thunderbolt and HDMI connections, so you don't always need to spring for the more expensive model just because it says "for Mac" on the box. The options don't stop there, either, as Thunderbolt is directly compatible with Mini DisplayPort, and with an adapter, you can take just about any standard monitor connection (VGA, DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort) into the Thunderbolt port.

You'll also want to keep the high-resolution goodness, so look for displays that offer at least 1,920-by-1,080 resolution, which will give you full HD 1080p quality. Ideally, however, you'll want something higher, like 2,560-by-1,440. (In fact, the MacBook pro supports up to 2,560-by-1,600 resolution, so there's little danger of finding a display it can't match.) Higher resolution won't just give support for Apple's higher-than-HD resolutions, it will also support the same sort of usefulness offered by the Retina display, like the ability to work with high-res media without sacrificing your tools or surrendering every inch of screen real estate.

Finally, look for features. Some features will mimic the ones built into the MacBook Pro, like an IPS (in-plane switching) panel, which delivers the same rich colors and wide viewing angles seen on Apple's own displays. A built-in webcam may be something you want, and there are monitors that offer this functionality, but don't forget other features like built-in USB hubs, adjustable and ergonomic stands that offer height and angle adjustment. These are the sort of touches that make a competent display a great addition to your home or office, so take the time to find out what's offered.

We've listed several of the best monitors available for use with your MacBook Pro, but this list is by no means definitive, and you can find many more by checking out our many monitor reviews.

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