iPad Mini Retina - A Small Breath of Air (Out Now! Limited Supply!)

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I heard somewhere that the first batch are having some issues with the screen (burn in or panels with worse quality). Apparently Apple went to samsung for the screens since sharp couldn't deliver the expected amount.

Does this mean I should wait till xmas or should I just dip in right now? I'm debating getting one since this morning but haven't gotten myself to hit the "checkout" button at the end...

depends. if you don't have an apple store nearby, i'd say nope. if you do, you can always return it in 2 weeks, so buy now or wait until they restock in 2014.

i'm a bit suspect of it too, but screen problems and heating issues should be pretty apparent when peopel get theres.
 

Ovid

Member
I heard somewhere that the first batch are having some issues with the screen (burn in or panels with worse quality). Apparently Apple went to samsung for the screens since sharp couldn't deliver the expected amount.

Does this mean I should wait till xmas or should I just dip in right now? I'm debating getting one since this morning but haven't gotten myself to hit the "checkout" button at the end...
Again, we don't know what supply will look like that far down the road. The second shipment might not be till next year for all we know.
 

Mogwai

Member
I'm not buying (getting my Air today) but I'm interested in hearing what differences exist between this and the Mini outside of screen size and PPI. It seems like the Mini 2 and the Air are pretty even outside of the extra couple of inches and it's hard to see how that alone is worth the extra $100 dollars (even though I am getting an Air).

Can't wait to see the reviews.
As both devices have same processor and same resolution, I guess performance will be somewhat equal. But I don't know if Apple would have any interest in clocking the chips differently. You also get more aluminum for those $100 ;)

I ordered mine wih LTE. Those $130 is a bit too high in my opinion.
 

Skel1ingt0n

I can't *believe* these lazy developers keep making file sizes so damn large. Btw, how does technology work?
Bought 2 with 5% Shop Discover.

I have an Air, and have no desire to flip; but if reviews are for some unexpected reason just way more glowing; I could be interested. I've learned that for anything that even might be rare to buy it on a CC if there's a good return policy. Might make for a very easy couple hundred dollar profit.
 
press release:

CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® announced iPad® mini with Retina® display is available starting today. The new iPad mini brings all the pixels from the 9.7-inch iPad to its 7.9-inch screen, delivering razor sharp text and detail in an amazingly thin and light design. It features the powerful and power-efficient Apple-designed A7 chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture, ultrafast wireless with faster built-in Wi-Fi and expanded LTE cellular connectivity, iOS 7 featuring hundreds of great new features and access to all 475,000 apps designed specifically for iPad.

“The response to iPad Air has been incredible, and we’re excited for customers to experience the new iPad mini with Retina display,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “We think customers will love both of these thin, light, powerful new iPads, and we’re working hard to get as many as we can in the hands of our customers.”

Pricing & Availability

iPad mini with Retina display will be available starting today in silver or space gray. iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi models will be available for a suggested retail price of $399 (US) for the 16GB model, $499 (US) for the 32GB model, $599 (US) for the 64GB model and $699 (US) for the 128GB model. iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi + Cellular models will be available for a suggested retail price of $529 (US) for the 16GB model, $629 (US) for the 32GB model, $729 (US) for the 64GB model and $829 (US) for the 128GB model. Additionally, the original iPad mini continues to be available at the more affordable price of $299 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and $429 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model for either AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile or Verizon.

Custom-designed polyurethane Smart Covers for iPad mini with Retina display and iPad mini are available for $39 (US) in a range of vibrant colors, including blue, green, pink, yellow, black and (RED). Additionally, a beautiful aniline-dyed leather iPad mini Smart Case is available in six rich colors, including yellow, beige, blue, brown, black and (RED) for a suggested retail price of $69 (US) for both models of iPad mini. Smart Covers and Smart Cases are available through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Authorized Apple Resellers.

iPad mini with Retina display is available to order through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com) to ship or through Personal Pickup at Apple’s retail stores, and through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and select Apple Authorized Resellers.
 
Bought 2 with 5% Shop Discover.

I have an Air, and have no desire to flip; but if reviews are for some unexpected reason just way more glowing; I could be interested. I've learned that for anything that even might be rare to buy it on a CC if there's a good return policy. Might make for a very easy couple hundred dollar profit.

I noticed that the iPhone 5S and iPad Air are listed as not allowing 5% cashback bonus through ShopDiscover. I wonder if the iPad Mini w/ Retina will also fall under that category, but just hasn't been added yet. I bought one today as a gift for my fiancee, but since it's not listed on the website as not being eligible, I think we should be good. I'm just expecting Discover to add the iPad Mini w/ Retina to the exclusion list very soon, so I screenshotted the current exclusion list to argue my case later on if needed. Discover is usually fairly generous in these instances.
 
asked a mod to change the title. hope people that care notice it now ;)

Really curious if it is a limited supply. what every store actually has hundreds in stock but were under some hefty embargo.
 

Ovid

Member
asked a mod to change the title. hope people that care notice it now ;)

Really curious if it is a limited supply. what every store actually has hundreds in stock but were under some hefty embargo.
It's limited. It was rumored over the summer that the Mini might not be released this year.
 

Kadux

Neo Member
depends. if you don't have an apple store nearby, i'd say nope. if you do, you can always return it in 2 weeks, so buy now or wait until they restock in 2014.

i'm a bit suspect of it too, but screen problems and heating issues should be pretty apparent when peopel get theres.

Hell, I pulled the trigger. I put the order online and if I do have some problems with heating or the screen, I'll return it and wait for the next mini. Really want one since I sold my Ipad3(for a nice 500$). I used it a lot for reading pdfs and now I hate having to stay at my desk all day.
 

Aaron

Member
asked a mod to change the title. hope people that care notice it now ;)

Really curious if it is a limited supply. what every store actually has hundreds in stock but were under some hefty embargo.
This is the most stealth launch Apple has ever done. We knew about it from an unconfirmed rumor just hours before it went live. I'm pretty sure they don't got much stock.

Hell, I pulled the trigger. I put the order online and if I do have some problems with heating or the screen, I'll return it and wait for the next mini. Really want one since I sold my Ipad3(for a nice 500$). I used it a lot for reading pdfs and now I hate having to stay at my desk all day.
Apple isn't selling the units with screen problems. That's why they're supply constrained.
 
A part of me was hoping for a deal on this (maybe through Target via a gift card) but got more and more concerned that stock would be limited given the stealth launch and rumors of yield issues. So, I'd rather just buy it now instead of hoping for a last minute deal and end up missing out on this as an Xmas gift.
 

Kadux

Neo Member
With more news popping here and there, I guess the people who got on board now will be happy to not have to wait for a restock.
 

Kadux

Neo Member
Apple isn't selling the units with screen problems. That's why they're supply constrained.

Makes sense. I never had a problem with any apple product over the last 6 years. Hope it remains this way :) They do make impeccable products!
 
was debating for a grand total of 1 min if I should get this or get the ipad air at target during black friday which has $100 gift card... then i realize i would have to wait in line during black fridya.
 
Just ordered a 128 GB Space Grey Wi-fi model to replace my 2. Ordered it direct from Apple, since Best Buy only seems to have the white one.

So, now the waiting begins.
 

Bowser

Member
Picked up a 16GB Space Grey with LTE. Figure I can get away with 16GB and decided to spend the extra on the optionality of LTE. I can always return if 16GB ends up being too small.

I have a 32GB WiFi Only iPad 3 that I'll trade-in/sell, found that I didn't really need 32GB (I used somewhere around 22ish GB, but that's with a lot of music and random crap that I don't even listen to). Speaking of, if any GAFer wants it, I'd be willing to sell to them first :)
 

Bowser

Member
Are these the exact same dimensions as the 1st gen one besides a bit more weight?

Retina (left) vs OG (right)

an6782v.jpg
 
Looks like they're shipping to stores today. When I ordered this morning, the option to ship to my local Apple Store wasn't available, but now it is. Canceled my earlier order that would've arrived next week by delivery and made a new one for in-store pickup.

Will I have a Retina Mini in my hand today? It seems so
grin.gif


I need to buy a case, but I have no idea if the 1st gen cases will fit the new Mini.
 

grave_danger

Neo Member
Looks like only the Wifi models are showing available for in-store pickup today, unfortunately.

I ordered the 32GB LTE mini last night online, but damn if I am not tempted to go into Best Buy today and try to snag a 16GB WiFi for $340+ tax instead. I have a $65 gift card burning a hole in my pocket. I'd much rather have the LTE and would prefer more storage, but when you start to look at the price differential it's insane.
 

Ovid

Member
Looks like they're shipping to stores today. When I ordered this morning, the option to ship to my local Apple Store wasn't available, but now it is. Canceled my earlier order that would've arrived next week by delivery and made a new one for in-store pickup.

Will I have a Retina Mini in my hand today? It seems so
grin.gif


I need to buy a case, but I have no idea if the 1st gen cases will fit the new Mini.
What the hell!!!

*CANCELING ORDER*

Fifth Avenue Store has it for pickup.

EDIT: Fuck!!!! It's preparing for shipment. I can't cancel it.
 

Guess Who

Banned
Geekbench has some iPad Mini Retina scores up. Looks like the CPU is downclocked a bit compared to the iPad Air (Air runs at 1.4GHz, mini runs at 1.3 like the iPhone 5S).
 

Bowser

Member
Looks like only the Wifi models are showing available for in-store pickup today, unfortunately.

I ordered the 32GB LTE mini last night online, but damn if I am not tempted to go into Best Buy today and try to snag a 16GB WiFi for $340+ tax instead. I have a $65 gift card burning a hole in my pocket. I'd much rather have the LTE and would prefer more storage, but when you start to look at the price differential it's insane.

I ordered the 16GB LTE, but kind of considering doing the same...I just feel like the optionality of LTE is worth the $130, especially with 200MB free data from T-Mobile. Seems like a no-brainer (yes I realize 200MB isn't much, but I don't think I'll be using LTE except for in a pinch).

edit: Fuck it. Cancelled the 16GB LTE and ordered the 32GB WiFi for pickup today lol. Reason being I never felt like I needed LTE the past 2 years and $100 extra for double the storage isn't a bad deal.
 
Played with one at the Apple store on 14th street in NYC today. They only had the white on display. It didn't feel much lighter than an iPad Air and my coworkers and I all agreed the device did get noticeably warm after extended use.

I bought an Air on launch day and there was nothing about it that made me want to return. It's a great device as expected, and the choice between a Mini and an Air boils down to your use cases.
 
What the hell!!!

*CANCELING ORDER*

Fifth Avenue Store has it for pickup.

EDIT: Fuck!!!! It's preparing for shipment. I can't cancel it.

just pick it up. return the other one when it arrives. simple ;)


closest store for me is in... louisville KY.

I live in GA.

..yeah i'm good with my order.
 
Geekbench has some iPad Mini Retina scores up. Looks like the CPU is downclocked a bit compared to the iPad Air (Air runs at 1.4GHz, mini runs at 1.3 like the iPhone 5S).

Knew the Air was going to be a slightly better performer but that difference is neglible. It still will likely perform just as good.

I will be grateful for my extra couple of inches on my Air, though.
 

jts

...hate me...
It better, or else it'd be outpaced by the 5S.
Well, the iPhone is Apple's most expensive iOS device, so that fact by itself wouldn't be shocking. In fact, last years iPhone was far ahead last years iPad mini. This years mini is $70 more expensive which is still a bargain by Apple standards considering how much it climbed in the iOS food chain.

But there's 0 chance they would put out a 2048x1536 device with 512MB of RAM. Not even Apple is that sadistic.
 
I think the size/surfaces are basically identical to the first-gen Mini. So, two questions:

1. How prone to scratches/scuffing is the rear/sides/bezel? (My wife has a third-gen iPad. Same materials and dispositions?)

2. Any case suggestions for the Mini? I don't want anything crazy expensive or super big. I'm primarily looking for something to minimize aesthetic wear, so that I maximize my return when I resell in a couple of years.
 
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