VLC does work with the remote.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

right, like everybody is going to get an iphone or touch. Remember when the same thing happened 5 years ago with TV remotes when everybody got java-capable mobile phones?

Yawn.
I couldn't give a flying **** about the remote. I have two - anyone want one?

I hope Apple makes more profit by omitting them because I want them to continue to do well and continue to always make the ONLY COMPUTER WORTH HAVING ON THE PLANET.

So shut your whining yaps, those of you who think that a $19 remote is going to break your little piggy-banks.