Oh, the Apple Remote. I remember when I first bought my white MacBook back in 2007 – my introduction to the Mac scene – and found the little white remote to control Front Row. I had no idea what it did at first, and once I did finally determine its use, I promptly threw it in a drawer and forgot about it. Same with the one that came with my iMac. I just don’t see the point of using a remote for a device that’s a foot away from my face – and I’m not going to watch a movie on a 13-inch laptop from 5 feet away. When I got my AppleTV, in it came that same white remote. For some reason, I felt like I should have something more substantial with the device, instead of that little plastic chiclet. Nope, same deal.
So when I got my MacBook Pro last year, imagine my surprise when I opened it up to discover that there was no remote. I figured I’d have something to add to my collection, and now I just had nothing. Then I was in my living room one day, working on my MBP and watchingĂ‚Â the AppleTV. I click the remote and sure enough, my laptop goes to Front Row at the same time. Every time I hit the remote, no matter where in the room I pointed it or put my MBP, the screen flipped on. Was it annoying? Hell yeah it was. To the point that I stopped using the AppleTV and the MBP at the same time.
A few months back, Apple released the new Apple Remote to replace the old white one. It’s longer than the tiny white remote, so it looks like it would fit better in my hand, plus it works with all the same devices as well. Is it worth the $19? Well if my white AppleTV remote goes out I might spring for it, but it’s just not a very exciting purchase. I’m also guessing that I’m not the only person who feels that way. Tonight I went to the Apple Store to look for an accessory and I found piles of Remotes on the shelves. Has anyone actually bought one of these things?
2 thoughts on “The Apple Remote”
Kevin, Kevin, Kevin…I am disappointed in you this time…this post is down right stupid and anyone that is an Apple Addict like you are should know that the Apple Remote has a few great attributes
first if you give presentations…you can use it for Keynote…it will advance and reverse your slides and it works great…I love it for that
AND as far as other macs reacting to the remote…all you have to do is go to System Preferences>Security>General (unlock the padlock at the bottom if it’s locked)
you can then Disable the IR receiver or you can Pair a specific remote to the Mac you are using and therefore either way the AppleTV remote will not activate your MacBook Pro
get it, got it, good
peace out
I have to agree with Aleixs. I love my Apple remote. Once I disabled the IR on my MacBook never had a problem using my Mac Mini that I had set up with my home theater position, whether it was to launch front row and watch some movie trailers or control all things through Plex. Pair your remote and get to work.