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I need it for Keynotes. I was about to order a loaded version of the new portable, but won't until it supports Apple Remote.
A top of range computer should support a key feature like remote handling of presentations without connecting an Apple TV.
MacBook Pro with Retina display
So buy the standard model. Apple has limited the Retina in many ways to get it into a thinner case. The use of a remote is one of those ways. This will not change as I don't think there is a IR reciever in the Retina model and Apple won't be adding one any time soon.
I already have a MacBook Pro 15", but would like to upgrade to the Retina model;-)
Good point about the thin Retina leaving no room for a IR reciever! That's a reason I might accept.
Putting all feelings aside about them leaving this out - you can use a bluetooth mouse or keyboard for your purpose, and should you have an iphone or ipad, you can use one of those too.
The idea has crossed my mind. Unfortunately it´s a hazzle to wear a mouse or a keyboard on stage during presentations, and it's selldom easy to connect the Mac and the iOS-device to the same WiFi (a must to use Apples app Remote).
I use a third party remote from Logitech that has a small USB dongle. Works like a charm. The handheld remote is small and easy to handle. I'm sure there are Bluetooth versions available so you wouldn't need a dongle, but I haven't looked into them.
Have tried USB remotes and they might be the only possible option, if I don't get any other information by this thread.
Great question as I'm sure there are plenty of others wondering the same thing.
Bluetooth seems like the best solution (and it is the logical next step to IR anyway).
Hope this helps.
I have that remote. It doesn't work as a remote for PowerPoint (KeyNote only). It's more set up to be a media control device than a clicker, it doesn't work well as a clicker at all.
I haven't been able to find a small bluetooth clicker to replace the ease of the Apple IR Remote with the Retina MacBook Pro.
Gentlemen, this is very important! I have the Macbook Pro 15" RETINA, and am going through this ordeal of the remote control issue. Without telling you the bloody details, here is my question:
Does anyone actually have a remote control that connects via USB dongle into the RETINA, that works for KEYNOTE presentations?
If I am reading correctly above, the answer is yes but I want to confirm this.
Please help!
Dan of Troy
(Not related to Helen)
Hey Dan of Troy,
I use my MBPro Retina for Keynotes all the time and control them remotely. I use the "Keynote Remote" App on my iphone to control the Keynote presentation. I works VERY well for me. You can make speaking notes on the iphone app that corespond with the slide on the screen. I believe the same can be done with the ipad (both use as a remote for your MBPro and be controlled by the iphone). In fact, it's the main medium I use to present new material to my team. By the way, no dongles necessary. I hate having a projector bag full of dongles and other crap.
I recomend it heartily!
Best of luck with it.
~ Mars Patrick
Agreed - it's utterly ridiculous to just drop such a key bit of fucntionality
I have an update: I downloaded - and purchased - the Keynote application for the iPhone 5. Guess what? It works off of Wifi, and in TWO separate venues while my presentation was being given, I lost WiFi connectivity. Yep. How impressive is that? Now before you say, well you were too far away from the WiFi signal / router / hub, whatever, wrong again. At the main venue, the hub was on the other side of the wall, maybe 20 feet away.
Thus, I have now purchased a third-party remote control, a Kensington, which uses a USB dongle. It works flawlesslly, except it does not control the volume on my Macbook Pro like the old Apple remote used to do.
If I had to give the MacBook Retina a grade, I would give it a C, based on three major changes that have reallly made my life more difficult, instead of improved technology. I know the powers at Apple think I am, what was it I read in MacLife magazine, "Living in the past," but guess what, it's my life and my money.
Sorry for your frustration with the iOS remote. Keyspan has a remote with volume control that is compatible with Mac. It's called the Keyspan Presentation Remote Pro. You can find it on Amazon, B&H Photo, etc. It's about $60.
Brad, thank you very much for the reply.
Dan
Yeah, checked that out. It's pretty big and clunky, and requires that you stick a dongle into the computer. Not clean at all.
I'm puzzled as to why the remotes don't just use bluetooth. Satechi has a bluetooth one that works great, but only for Keynote - it does not work with PowerPoint (why they didn't just support both is beyond me).
If any hardware vendors are out there, creating a remote that did nothing but pretend to be a bluetooth keyboard that hit the forward arrow and back arrow would be brilliant.
How come the new MacBook Pro Retina doesn't support Apple Remote?
