The iPad mini only went on sale Friday morning, but it's already sold out in some Apple Stores around the world, 9to5Mac reports.
The flagship Apple Store on Fifth Avenue in New York City has run out of iPad minis, according to Topeka Capital's Brian White, who released a note to clients on the subject. Apple Stores here in the UK, Singapore, Canada, and all over America are also out of stock, according to White.
Whether this is down to huge demand or Apple not having enough stock isn't clear. When we went down to the Covent Garden store bright and early Friday morning, there wasn't much of a queue. Not compared to the usual crowds at an Apple launch, anyway.
Bad news if you didn't pre-order your mini: you're out of luck online as well. Apple's UK website lists the Wi-Fi-only model as being dispatched in two weeks, while the cellular versions are given a worryingly vague "late November" shipping date. Hmm.
It's not as bad as the Kindle Paperwhite though. The original shipping date has slipped to the week of 17 December, even though it went on sale at the end of last month. Best get your orders in now if you want it in time for Christmas.
The mini is the tablet Apple said it would never make. Despite its diddy dimensions, it carries a price tag much higher than rivals like the Google Nexus 7 or Amazon Kindle Fire HD, so it'll be fascinating to see how well it performs compared to its cheaper 7-inch counterparts. Apple usually releases first weekend sales stats for new products, so if it keeps quiet come Monday, we'll know it has nothing to shout about.
Did you pick up an iPad mini on launch day? Or is it on your Christmas list? How do you think it'll fare in the face of cheaper competition? Let me know in the comments, or on Facebook.
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Peter K 4 November, 2012 11:57
I purchased a 32GB White iPad Mini from the Apple store in Norwich on launch day where the queue at 8-15 in the morning was about 50 people and sale completed within half an hour.
Already owning an iPad 3 and a Nexus 7 my initial feelings on the iPad mini are that Apple have chosen the perfect screen size at 7.9 inches it gives a much better web browsing experience compared to the narrow screen of my Nexus, it's build quality is superb with weight and size being just right! Yes I'm disappointed about the screen resolution, old processor and the rather high price, but know I will have that huge selection of Apps made for Tablets to use which the opposition just can't match at the moment.
If your looking for a good cheap 7inch Tablet then buy a Nexus or Kindle Fire HD with all thier distracting adds on the screen! If you want quality from a proven product range then the iPad Mini is the way to go! You pays your money and takes your choice!
anonymous 4 November, 2012 14:53
Mad people when the nexus 10 will be out soon for a few quid extra with a retina display bigger size and amazing software. I feel embarrassed for these sad people.
georg55 4 November, 2012 15:11
Sad that people with an ipad 3 would buy a mini,unless you plan to give it away ,why have a smaller version of the maxi pad with its row of icons ,looks the same,mad people indeed,I have a BB Play book and nexus 7 and love them both,great cams on the play book,nexus 7 very fast,both for under £250.00.cost of 1 ipad
anonymous 4 November, 2012 23:17
I love it when people say go for a larger tablet (like the nexus 10) rather than a smaller one. Not everyone wants a larger tablet!
I've got a nexus 7 and an ipad 3. The Nexus 7 is great (though laggy at times, especially when starting- probably because I have too many apps on it and the wifi looses signal from time to time). Saying that, I'm still going to give the iPad mini a go- I've tried a couple of good 10" android tablets, at less than half the price of the iapd. And yet- the build quality, sturdiness and quality of apps on the iPad means I'm more than happy with it. So, I'll try out the iPad mini and when they go for retina in the next version might buy it rather than another nexus.
anonymous 5 November, 2012 08:50
I've got a Nexus 7, which I bought to have a play with and for my kids to use when we do long car journeys. It's quite good and I like some of the Android features that I also have on my phone.
However I've been wanting an iPad for a long time now and took the plunge on Saturday, when I picked up my new iPad 4. I'm quite familiar with the iPad and this one is even better with its lightning quick speed.
They had the iPad Mini in the Apple Store and I managed to get past the crush to have a look.
Only first impressions mind you, the first thing to notice that it's a class above the Nexus in build and design. The other first impression was that web browsing was much better than on the Nexus screen, especially in landscape. I'll take another look next time I'm passing.
anonymous 5 November, 2012 11:19
I saw one today. It looks like a classy piece of hardware and from what I've seen, the screen looks very clear and bright. It's a bit pricy though.
anonymous 6 November, 2012 07:11
Most of the reviews are giving the Mini a good rating and despite the screen having a lower resolution on paper, they are saying in practise it's better than the Nexus 7 screen, being brighter, with deeper and more acurate colours..
It's also said to be just as fast as the quad core Nexus 7 in most practical uses.
anonymous 18 November, 2012 22:05
I went to Apple store regent street on Thu 15th Nov. They didnt had any mini's so asked me to comeback next day morning. I was there on Friday morning and found out they didnt had any 16 GB. Seems like the have are almost running out or 32 & 64.
Nathe Ayling 29 November, 2012 21:50
Just use http://www.ipadministock.co.uk the website checks UK major stores for stock in realtime. It's how I managed to get hold of mine anyway!
anonymous 23 December, 2012 12:25
iPad Mini tablets are being sold for more than retail on Ebay it seems, I've even noticed a gadget buying website buying iPad Mini for more than the retail price! You call sell your iPad Mini at http://gadgetmill.co.uk if anyone wants to make a quick buck, I've put my order through and it has been processed haha! Lucky day for me.