No iDVD in my new macbook air. Is it normal?

Since iDVD cannot be purchased separately

iDVD is easy to get.

Make a couple of phone calls.

iDVD is a “Must Have". (It should be included.)

Some have reported that by calling Apple they are sent out iDVD at no charge.

800-692-7753

800-275-2273

Some people report that by asking here: http://www.apple.com/feedback/idvd.html

or here: http://www.apple.com/contact/

they got a free copy of iDVD.

If that doesn't work you can purchase iLife 11 on disk (don't get the download) for about $29.

^ Which is what they did for me. Sent me out an OEM copy of iLife 11'.

So now I have it, and I'm happy.

How to install iDVD from the internet (MacBook Air 11" mid 2011 model)

I downloaded and installed PACIFIST from here http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/6812/pacifist

Pacifist is a install package extractor.

Then I downloaded an iDVD upgrade package from here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1353

When installing the upgrade package you will get an error saying the you have no qualifying application installed.

Do the following:

Use Pacifist to extract the iDVD.app file from the upgrade package to your Applications folder.

If you try to use iDVD now it will complain about missing themes.

First install some free themes from here: dvdthemepak.com

If you open iDVD now you will see some gray themes below those you installed. Click on one. iDVD will update itself. Afterwards click on one of the gray themes again. iDVD will download those themes. (> 500 MB)

I wrote a DVD using an external LG writer and all seems fine.

Thanks for the fulsome instructions.

I have to say, as a newcomer to Mac I find it incredible that a top spec iMac doesn't ship with anything to create a DVD.

Any idea if something similar would work for iweb, which is still also supposed to be included, but is missing?

I have to say, as a newcomer to Mac I find it incredible that a top spec iMac doesn't ship with anything to create a DVD.

I doubt if you'll find anyone to disagree with you here.

I've been using Macs since 1984 (I reluctantly use Windows also) and this one has us scratching our heads.

It does appear that Apple is giving away iDVD to anyone that asks for it. Hopefully this oversight will be corrected soon.

Folks,

Yes, just ask them - they will mail you a full copy of iLife 11' for free. Be polite. That includes iWeb and iDVD.

I am in South Africa. Got no joy from the local Apple "iStore" or the HQ. I am also not prepared to make overseas calls. Already payed enough for this MBA.

The Apple web support seems to be ok for the USA. I could not log anything with a South African Apple ID.

No email contact that I could find either.

So I helped myself.

I have just tried contacting the UK office & no joy...the sales guy insisted that I had to re-purchase iLife '11 as a whole.

I just tried to convince the Danish Apple support of the same - No joy... Suggested that I buy the whole iLife...

I am in the same boat - new macbook pro, loving it. THEN go to do a simple process like burn a family movie to dvd and ...... nothing! I cannot believe that Apple would not ship iDVD with Lion Macs. IF anyone from Apple reads this - > epic fail! Any Windoze computer will have the option to burn a DVD from a movie package - why not Apple? This is EXTREMELY frustrating! Have logged a complaint and am expecting a call where I will ask for it to be shipped to me because I am one unhappy customer!

I have just tried what dtoitn suggested, which seems to work. However, this was what I hated about my (previous) life with MS. I was sick of doing all kinds of tricks and cracks to get things to work. With Apple it "just works" - or it used to....

Also quite unsatisfied that with the solution proposed from Apple Support. Go buy iLife in order to get iDvd ??? Ok, so I have bought the most expensive laptop on the market + a new Mac Mini - and the solution from Apple is to spend more money...

Frustrating!

Got a similar response from Apple, buy a Third Party or buy iLife box, after i spent a 130 mile trip to the closest Apple store. Totally agree with juuonlin, bought the most expensive laptop on the market and I can't cut a DVD. I don't understand how you have movie editiing software that doesn't create a DVD. How do they think people share their movies. I guess "Blue Ray" is out of the question...

Nice business model Apple.

I also did dtoitn and it seems to have worked.

Sorry - Wrong post.

IF anyone from Apple reads this - > epic fail! Any Windoze computer will have the option to burn a DVD from a movie package - why not Apple?

It is very unlikely that anyone from Apple will read your post. Also, you are preaching to the choir here.

If you are still within your 15 day return period, nicely explain that you may return the computer without iDVD. That usually does the trick for a free copy.

Here is the best way to contact Apple, be nice and be honest.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/idvd.html

http://www.apple.com/contact/

or Call:

800-692-7753

800-275-2273

^ That's exzactly what worked for me. The threat of a return was enough to force them to mail me the (physical) full iLife DVD.

And for the record, Windows machines don't let you author (burn) DVDs without bying extra programs. They don't come out of the box with HALF of the stuff a Mac does. Let alone all the garbage trial software.