The teardown mentioned an IR cable which is encouraging.

A post on macintouch.com confirmed there is an IR port hidden at the right end of the disc slot. You can also see in a photo on the Features page on the Apple site with a disc half inserted, the slot is a bit longer on the right end.

I just checked and they don't offer the remote when you configure a MacBook. Being that it is still offered on the Mac Mini, I'd assume the answer is yes. No info on the tech specs page though.

yep it does i just recieved mine.

Thanks Jeff

Good to have positive confirmation from someone who actually has one.

I am thinking of buying a Mac mini as a media PC and would be wanting to use my Harmony IR remote for basic operation. I also have an iPod Touch and I could use one of the available apps to use it as a remote e.g. for surfing to find online media content.

I used to use an iPod app for that and it would be way easier to buy a bluetooth keyboard and mouse. The mouse apps and too fiddely.

OK Thanks Jeff

I might try the iPod initially, and save up for a Logitech Mediaboard which has a touchpad built into the keyboard. The Mediaboard works via Bluetooth and would seem an ideal combination for working on the lap where a separate mouse would be awkward.

Bought a Mac Mini from the brand new Apple Store in Perth yesterday, including Apple Remote (infrared).

I have got basic functions working from Logitech 525 IR remote as well, and also using Mobile Airmouse Pro running on iPod Touch (via wi-fi). The Airmouse software is quite good, e.g. for simple surfing to find and run online video.

At the moment, I have a Logitech USB wireless mouse and keyboard plugged in for more complex typing . Time will tell whether I can do without a full size keyboard long term.

One trick I found with the Mac Mini. Initially, I didn't think it was sending audio over the HDMI port, as I couldn't get the audio via the TV. However, I had to change a setting under the Sounds preferences to output the audio via HDMI rather than the Mac Mini's internal speaker. The audio works fine via the TV now. I retained the setting for system sounds via the internal speaker so various beeps, etc. are not frighteningly loud when the TV volume is turned up.