Filed under: Bad Apple, MacBook, Mac Pro, MacBook Air
But, there is one less thing... dealing with Front Row without a remote
The MacBook / MacBook Pro update wasn't "major" but it brought about some changes to the Apple line of notebooks. However, one feature that the new 'books are lacking is the inclusion of an Apple remote. The Apple remote is now a $19 accessory. Currently, the only computers that Apple is including the remote with (as standard) are the iMac and Mac mini. You can still use Front Row (Apple's media management application) without a remote. To start Front Row, just press Command + esc on your keyboard. You can also launch Front Row by clicking it in your applications folder (if you are running Mac OS X Leopard). To navigate through the menus, just use the arrow keys on your keyboard.
What do you think about Apple not including the remote with their line of notebooks? Sound off in the comments!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Ben said 7:07PM on 2-26-2008
That's totally ridiculous. What could Apple really lose by excluding a remote that costs them $10 max? I wonder what the reasoning is behind this.
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Darren said 8:30PM on 2-26-2008
Well, they sell millions of laptops, so tens of millions of dollars.
I use mine, but it seems a lot of people don't, especially organizations that make bulk purchases. That's the rationale.
Justin Eaton said 8:35PM on 2-26-2008
Makes sense to me. I use mine with my Mac Mini all the time, not necessarily for Front Row, but controlling iTunes and volume from across the room. If many don't use it, don't include it. I'd certainly pay $19 for it, but wouldn't whine.
Gary said 8:50PM on 2-26-2008
Probably that fact that most people don't use them. I would love to see a poll of who uses them and who doesn't. I know I have 3 or 4. Don't remember as I never use them. So Apple can save a good deal of money by not shipping something that few people use.
brian said 10:21PM on 2-26-2008
Count me in--owner of three, user of none. (From an Intel Mac mini, my own MB, and my MBP from work.) One is in my drawer but I don't even know where the other two are. Unfortunately, since they're only $19 new, it's not worth the bother to put the damn things on eBay. The ultimate irony is that I bought a PPC Mac mini the day it was introduced to use as a media center... and I bought a Keyspan remote (and IR receiver) for it. It was about $30 or 40.
JJV said 11:26PM on 2-26-2008
I also have one but don't use it, and who knows maybe apple is going to implement iphones and ipod touches as a remote for our macs.....
It does sound a bit like steve jobs no?
gerdozain said 9:52AM on 2-27-2008
I can see the iPhone and iPod Touch getting an interface to act as remote controls for the Apple TV. As for the macs, I don't know, again, you are usually really close to laptops, so it would only be worth for Mac Pros (mac minis are on their way out) and iMac have the remote still.
Hmmmm.
ChillyWilly said 1:07PM on 2-27-2008
I use mine, too. But miffed they don't include it with these new MacBooks.
And as I've said on other blogs, it's not the cost, it's the trend behind the "don't include anymore" that Apple has been doing to their products (iPod not including power supply, new iPod touch apps for previous owners).
It's no cost to them to include the remote. It seems very "nickel and diming" all of us that have supported them for years.
atuck said 7:07PM on 2-26-2008
I have two of those little bastards and I have yet to use it once except when showing off the fact that front row exists. On a Mac Pro it might be a bit more useful, but how far away are you sitting from your laptop while watching movies anyway? In terms of music the interface is horrendous. I'll stick to iTunes, preview and VLC, thanks.
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compuguy1088 said 9:25PM on 2-26-2008
VLC does work with the remote.
jk111 said 7:29PM on 2-26-2008
It probably costs them $1 to make! Lame. Plus, i'm sure if you already have a remote, you can use that on a new machine.
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AlphaTeam said 7:08PM on 2-26-2008
I don't see what Apple is really saving by skimming the remote. Sure I've never used it, but considering the Macbook Pro is their flagship line of notebooks, such an omission saves money, but will frustrate many people who did not expect the remote not to be included. Apple cutting corners like this is not satifactory to many people.
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OpticalSerenity said 7:08PM on 2-26-2008
It's a bad decision, surely geared to help push the AppleTV (which does in fact come with a remote).
It's not just Front Row that is affected by the lack of remote. As a MBP owner, I use the remote with Keynote presentations, amongst other various tasks when I use the laptop with a projector or other screen.
If the Macbook shouldn't come with a remote, surely the "pro" series should. Sigh.
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Nathaniel Schweinberg said 10:55AM on 2-27-2008
I think it's kind of cheap. I don't really understand why they wouldn't continue to ship a piece of hardware that aids in the use of one of their bundled applications, especially when it has been shipped with it in the past. It's only 19 more dollars, it can't make that much of a difference, especially when cost of production is way less than that. It's not that big of a deal, but still cheap nonetheless.
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David said 7:10PM on 2-26-2008
Eh, I see it both ways, but one came with my Macbook Pro and I don't ever use it. Those who really want it can afford the extra $19.
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PSM said 4:57AM on 2-27-2008
That's about how I feel. I kind of have to force myself to use mine, just to justify the fact that it exists. It's really cool, in that way that only Apple can make something like a 3-function remote fun to use, but not at all necessary to how I use my computer. The price is more than reasonable IMO. Not nearly as bad as the price for other similar add-ons that used to be built in, like the iPod dock and charging brick.
david said 8:01PM on 3-01-2008
they started including them, they should have continued. that's why people are all huffing and puffing about it. they included it before and it was never a problem, even if no one ever used them- many people did and still do.
to be perfectly honest i'm a little afraid that apple is stepping too far into the realm of ordinary computer companies... and there's no one to blame but the USERS.
cristian said 7:13PM on 2-26-2008
what would you use the remote for your notebook? i mean, there is the keyboard, and for keynotes you can easily set up a bluetooth mobile phone
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drew said 7:21PM on 2-26-2008
I feel the same way about it. IF your really need the darn thing, spend a little more to get it. I had a MBP and i never used it. It made no sense to, but now that I have a iMac 20 inch, I use it all the time. So, if you need it that bad, either fork over a little more to get it, or hell, if you bought a mac recently, just use one of those remotes...theyre so inexpensive you can find one on craigslist, i BET!
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Flunky Carter said 7:25PM on 2-26-2008
I just don't understand why the stopped including it. It's not like they stopped including a telephone cable because modems are pretty much obsolete. Frontrow/Remote control will probably only gain in popularity and we will probably see more uses for it in the future.