But, there is one less thing... dealing with Front Row without a remote

Hi Berrywolf,

Can you lend me one of your remotes? I am planning to buy the new MBP and am shocked to realise that it comes without one.

Cheers,

I think they're de-emphasizing the laptop to watch your movies at the home because you'd never watch it more than a few feet away. Now Apple has changed it's media strategy with the Apple TV, where you'll enjoy your content on your TV and stereo instead of your computer.

While you're in the Apple store to buy a $19 remote, they say Front Row is okay but we got this Apple TV that streams everything to your TV and lets you rent movies.

At the very least, they've already charged you the same price for the laptop that used to include the remote and either make an extra $19 on a remote or $200 on a Apple TV.

The money is better invested into RemoteBuddy. At least for all those that happen to own a mobile phone and/or an iPhone/iTouch.

Especially the AJAX remote implementation of RemoteBuddy is just awesome.

Don't most of you already have remotes? Then why are we complaining? The less crap I have in my accessories draw the better, as far as I'm concerned. I already have to many mini-DVI adapters.

As for people accusing Apple of nickel'n'diming, what do you expect? Apple does this just like every other major computer vendor does, and it isn't going to change anytime soon -- it's how they make their money.

By looking at some of the posts here, you'd think Apple must have left out the power adapter.

why not using salling clicker ? i know it's a bit more expansive than the remote, but you avoid another plastic chunk and have a screen on your remote, which is your phone.

what you think ?

Cedric

Well I agree that this stinks. Of course a lot of you people who have 5 remotes don't seem to care, but I know that Front Row and the cool little Apple Remote was one thing that seriously got my attention as a PC user. It was also part of the puzzle that made me make the decision to switch to Macs. I feel this kills a little bit of the Mac luster and will be bad in general.

BT

I'd be happy if they fixed the problem with the DVD Player application causing a kernel panic on santa rosa MacBooks. The list of people affected by this glitch is getting long.

I'm fine without DVD Player (there's VLC, and a few other options) but I do wish Apple would sort this out soon.

As for remotes, I have two of them-- one for the MacBook and one for the TV. They're nifty, and they ain't cheap, considering their functions and size.

Well why didn't they knock that £15 off the Macbook price, then? Kinda stupid... Plus no-one in their right mind is going to get a remote for an extra $19 or whatever because they won't see the need. I wouldn't have paid an extra £15 to buy my Apple Remote, that's for sure. It's a novelty.

Why does it still come with the DVI adapter then? If this is really just a push to eliminate all superfluous accessories, why include this? I'd see about the same amount of demand (or less) for this than the remote...

I use the remote I got with my MBP frequently for VLC/Front Row/iTunes when it's connected to TV & amp. I occassinally use my phone too, but the remote, is nice and quick. One button press; job done.

$20 seems a bit steep for something that used to be included for free. They should do it as a free optional extra (or a nominal fee at least) so that if you've already got 2 or 3, you won't get any more.

Bad move for Apples potential switchers. Good move (however small) to the balance sheet.