Mini DP to dual-link DVI adapter alternatives

[imrazor]

I'm considering picking up an older Mac mini to hook up to my 30" Dell Ultrasharp monitor. The catch is that the Dell monitor only has one input - dual-link DVI. Most of the minis I've been shopping for have either HDMI or MiniDP/Thunderbolt connectors. Apple sells a mini-DP to dual-link DVI adapter for the eye-watering price of $99. Does anyone know of 3rd party alternatives that will do the job at a reasonable price?

Remember, single link DVI will not do the trick. The Dell will only work with single link DVI at 1280x800, not the full 2560x1600.

 

[twalk]

Yes, you're going to have to use the mDP connector. Unfortunately, you can't do an in-spec conversion from mDP -> dual-link DVI with a standard passive converter

This leaves 2 options:
1) Something like 5-10% of the monitors with dual-link DVI connectors out there have a chip that can be out-of-spec double clocked. There are a few passive mDP -> dual-link DVI adapters out there that actually cheat, ignore 1/2 the pins, and just double the clock speed on the DVI side. This likely won't work for you
2) Buy an active adapter. $99 is about a typical price for this