They're heading off the recession for us.

A little. I use mines all the time to control itunes from afar. Its made my life so much lazier. Yay!

I think they're doing the right thing. I never used that stupid thing.

I have never used it for my Macbook... so, yeah, it makes sense.

if they arent changing the prices on their products then why isnt it available for free by request? i mean that amazing bit of technology probably sets them back 25 cents apiece?

well i live in denmark (europe) here the new macbooks are cheaper than usual,

the old price with student discount: 7518,- DKR

new price with student discount: 7331,- DKR
and WITH the remote: 7462,- DKR

so still cheaper than the old ones with the free remote hehe (;

DKR = Danish money :b

Ha suckers! I got mine for free when I bought my MB a month ago. Oh wait.

Actually the spec bump is alright I put in 4gbs and a 250 drive when I got mine so the processor is all I'm missing.

I nearly missed the remote, too. While I appreciate the thought, I just never saw the point of a laptop trying to masquerade as an entertainment center. Apple would do better to integrate a USB consumer IR receiver into their line of Apple displays, and then include the remote with _those_.

I think they will be refreshing the damn thing soon and make use of that patent they made.

Since the MBP/MB have BlueTooth builtin, it might behoove someone to write an app to use with a Bluetooth remote like Sony's PS3 one...

lets hope they don't make us start paying for an iMac remote... i really use it on that.

when i had a MacBook Pro, i didnt use it that much, perhaps once a week, and only when hooked up to a larger display

haha I bought my kids an iMac about a month back and had forgotten all about the damn thing. Read this article and went out to the garage and got it out of the box. :P

Oh, and shame on you Apple. Like you aren't making enough in markup of hardware sales (ipods, MB/MBP, Mac Pros...)...and insulting those of us that stuck through your "Scully-Rape & Amelio" years with a $19.99 SOX BS add-on.
Jobs & Co, you just keep digging that hole...

I use the remote when giving presentations with keynote, and as a substitute for dedicated media keys when I'm working. It used to be $29.

WTF? This is bullshit. The damn things were"free" with every MacBook, MacBook Pro and iMac, why charge for them now?

you can download sailing clicker or what ever its called and use a BT phone as a remote

I use mine all the time. Isn't this really a replacement remote? I'm assuming they still give you one when you buy an iMac.

Hey, I didn't know the MBP comes with DISPLAY CLEANING CLOTH?

I use mine all the time - watching movies - presentations and music_ I love the portablity of the laptop and having the remote to use that I don't even think about when doing so_ Not having to figure out what button does what - like on a larger more complicated remote_

The arguement is simply the last version of the laptops [read: yesterday] they came with the remote for the same price as todays laptops_ BUT Todays laptops also have added in a new and wholly different processor and upgraded the graphics card_

Yeah it kind of sucks that they're charging $20 for the remote - but like someone mentioned above - they used to be $30_ Also I do like that Apple is giving us the option of buying it or not_ They also still give the option between having a glossy display and a matte display_ Again a good thing_ Whereas when you buy any laptop you are stuck with a built in camera whether you like it or not_ When I first got mine I was thinking "what a waste of time" - but find myself using it constantly_

Options are always a good thing_

For those mentioning that you didn't know it was in the box - Apple has been advertising the remotes for 2+ years now - it's listed out on the box contents [on the box] and it was also on the Specs Pages on their website for the corresponding products_

That's like buying a car - which already had a full tank of gas - and wondering what is wrong with the car when it runs out of gas_ "oh gee - I didn't know it had agas tank and that I need to refill it - duh!"

It's stupid if you ask me. Although I rarely use mine, why charge for it now? What's next, charge for the AC Adapter like they did for the iPods? I'm surprised the iPhone still comes with the dock and charger. But then again, let me not give them any ideas.

I have never used mine, so I think making it optional makes sense. If anything I'd want to use it with my G5 tower, which doesn't support it. Why would I use a remote for a MacBook that's sitting on my leg?

True, they don't make as much sense for the laptops. Now hopefully they won't eliminate them for the iMacs (where it makes more sense).

If that makes a mac $19 cheaper, I've got no problem with this.

I got mine for $Free.99.....

That's the problem, it doesn't make the Macs any cheaper. If they're going to leave out the remote, which you used to get for free, then the MBP should start out at 1980.00 not 1999.00. BTW, do any of you use it with your Mac Pro? Is there a way to use it with the Mac Pro?

Classic back-door price increase. For years now they have been listing the remote as a 'standard feature' so it's not surprising some are taking exception to the price increase. That said, it's fair game for apple to do what-ever-the-hell they want when it comes to bundling products... But if your going to drop something why not lose those crap earbuds bundled with every iPod? I mean even your typical apple/Nsync fanboy deserves better!

I love that thing--so much fun going past computer labs.

@Nathan Drake: I'm glad you brought that up. I didn't think I would have to get through so many comments to see that said.

It just seems a little silly to make people buy it separately as it is inconsequential to the total price.

It is the same thing as when I bought my $2000 iMac, only to have to go back to the store for a 20$ adapter to connect my monitor.

For shame, Apple.

hmmm, I guess i'm in the minority that actually uses mine, but I use it all the time. That being said I do have three of them now since my macbook, imac and apple tv all came with them. I like that it just came with each device though.

they did the same with the mini dvi attachments...

1) I never use this thing. Although i think it could be handy if i used my mac in a different way then i am using it right now

2) Apple should add a DVI / VGA connector to their laptops instead of the remote. Would make sense and people happier.

Sounds rather silly of Apple to do, but as one who currently owns 3 remotes after purchasing other Apple gizmos (it comes free with the new iPod dock as well), I could go without more free remotes with my Mac purchase :P

I use mine quite a lot with my macbook, but that's really only because I have another monitor connected to it. I probably wouldn't use it as much if I just used the laptop monitor.

just like the first/second/ possibly third generation iPods. They came with the AC Adapter and now it's $40.

@Redwraithvienna: my MBP, bought 3+ weeks ago, came with a DVI to VGA adapter and a remote.
And BTW if you need a new remote and don't want to spend the $20, find anyplace that has macs for public use, they never let the public use the remotes so they usually have them laying around. My old college class had a plastic bag full of them.

I wouldn't miss mine if I didn't have it, since I hardly use it. However this looks like yet another indictor that Apple is going down the "shake the consumer for every dollar you can route". What next? I'm thinking they will start charging extra for the power brick extension cable. I hope I didn't just give them an idea (if I did, I'd like a consulting fee).

I have two already... no big deal here

Use one of the 8 remote you have in that drawer you keep all your Mac stuff in. Makes sense.

Considering how ungodly tiny they are I have to assume Apple made them for gnomes, pixies and hobbits.... Who obviously hide them every chance they get. Lord forbid Apple should design one for a person who's 6'1" and can palm a basketball. They're so freak'n easy to lose in the morning paper or on the coffee table...we had to make a special rule about not throwing anything out till the "pixie remote" has been located. Just another $19.95 nail in the coffin of reason's never to buy another apple product again. They say "design" I say affected dork's who don't give a rat's ass about real world users.

BTW I'm using it with the Apple TV....not a mac computer.

@DCGaymer:
Now see, if I made some comment like that (as absolutely true as it is...) Id get the fanboys, mac-morons, apple twits, and general electronic simpletons on me like an anti-trust lawyer on Bill G.

Kudos.

Mine never even worked! I should make them give me $19 even though I got it when it came with the macbook.

The question I have is why a remote with 5 buttons costs so much? You can get uiniversal remotes for that much.

well (as expected) it's costing us in the uk more, at 30 dollars (15 pounds) and no damm update to the mac mini!!!!

Why bother? I have enough of the damned things littering hte place.

You get one with iPod docks. You get another one with Apple TV, and used to get another one with macbooks...

It's like when they started charging separate for the iPod dock. Next thing you know, all the cables too will cost you extra.

To all the Apple snobs saying "who cares, it's only $20 - just pay for it" or "I have a sh*tload of it lying around anyway" - it's about the principle AND no, not everyone's got a sh*tload lying around.

who gives a shit? I have a pile of them at work that nobody uses. I use the one that came with my iMac all the time. if I lose it I can just swipe one from the office. if you're spending $2,000 on a laptop you can handle another $19, and don't give me that shit about principle. today's MB Pro updates add far more value than a crappy throwaway remote. would you rather have a MB Pro price increase?

same with the now-optional iPod charger. I already have a speaker dock and FM transmitter that both charge the thing. I would imagine many iPod users have similar things. who needs another charger?

Did they reduce system prices by $19 when they took it out of the box?

The answer to that should tell you the true motivation here.

Couldn't agree more... I've used it 1 time - to see what it did. Haven't touched it since...

But they're so useful! Also surely it costs them 40p to make ,..

Wow, so many Apple apologists. Can't you see you are thanking them for taking 20 dollars from you? That is so sad. They have you brain washed. You are defending them ripping YOU off. I understand that you couldn't justify your life if you didn't, but that kind of behavior makes you as bad as people that defend a certain political party's beliefs and a certain president. Look at the facts man (or woman), they are charging you for something that was free. That is all. The hardware update is normal and required because Apple does not lower their prices, they raise their specs, as always. Stop making excuses for their behavior.

With 2 seconds of looking, I found two of them in my house that have never been used, and I know there are at least a couple more. So it's not a feature I'm going to miss. But hey, if I ever get an Apple TV, I'll have a bunch of spare remotes!

Not everyone uses the mouse and keyboard that comes with a computer, either, so they should start making that optional equipment, as well.

(Yes, I'm looking at you, Mac mini owners.)

apple is nuts! the remote control is one of the advantages to buy a macbook, but now most people will not buy the remote control and don't even know that frontrow exists. does apple want to sell movie rental? if so: why do they save money here and give up the remote control??? i can not explain how stupid this is. jobs, you are greedy!!!

M'eh. I have two laying around somewhere that I never use. Don't know if I would go as far as to call this an outrage. Maybe a mild annoyance at best, but definitely not an outrage.

Of course, I'm also approaching this from the standpoint that I don't currently need an apple remote. I'm sure if the tables were turned and I was in the market for a new apple product I would be completely up in arms.

@Monty: I'm a Mac mini owner and I had no problem supplying my own monitor/mouse as it made getting a decent Mac a lot less expensive!

Also, I noticed that on the Apple mini and iMac pages, a look under "What's In The Box" includes, what's this, a friggin' Apple remote, you whiners. My guess is if you have a laptop, you have the capacity to have your computer next to you and don't need a remote. Unless you're a lazy ass.

I saw this when I was going to buy a new MacBook about 3 months ago. Old.

I use my remote when I travel. My MBP is my entertainment center with the usual movies, music and controlling the volume at least when using the Slingbox. It's nice to be lazy in bed and just use the remote.

I'm just pleased it'll control iTunes when my iPod is hooked up and I don't have to pay extra for that.

Way to go apple! Keep screwing new users : )
im glad i got mine : ) (free of course)

I'm using an old 12 inch PowerBook G4 now, and was holding out on upgrading until today's announcement, and have to say I'm a little bummed about this bit of information. Unlike, everyone else on this post it seems, I don't have like twenty of those little remotes laying around, shoot I don't even have one... To think too, I was really looking forward to using one these with my new MacBook from across the room to control my iTunes streaming wirelessly on my receiver over bluetooth (since the wireless bluetooth streaming with my PowerBook running Leopard sucks so much while using a bluetooth mouse and keyboard combo)... Oh well....