Just got the new NON-retina MBP. I was wondering about this but my Apple Remote works fine with it. Dont' know exactly where the sensor is, but I am happy it is there!
Just wish I could get front row to work as well (there is a hack but I can't seem to get it to find my itunes library yet!).
To all who are buying a new Macbook Pro, you CANNOT use an Apple Remote with it.
It does not contain an infrared receiver.
I know this is true for the Retina Display models for now, as I just purchased one.
Apple has confirmed this.

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