Where can we get an ipad mini?

[rainbowriver]

Have decided to buy one for Christmas and everywhere is out of stock!

Am surprised they are so popular as have heard quite a few people running them down.

May have to rethink!

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

Apple products are always run down, and branded rubbish, but everyone always buys them.

I think the Mini was more criticised than normal, but Apple countered that by releasing lower stock levels. More waves of stock coming in creates more excitement, so people who probably wouldn't have bought it otherwise have bought some.

Your local Apple store can probably tell you when they are expecting more stock, but it'll probably be quite close to Christmas now. Both Apple stores near me are getting stock on Christmas Eve, so they are offering 'reserved' items - but reserving more than there are, so you still need to go early and wait to have any chance.

[joanbyers]

I would recommend the normal ipad tbh, if possible.

[givemeaclue]

Joan have you got a mini?

[Prolificmincepiebreeder]

Sainsburys had them in our local store

[recall]

My apple is not branded rubbish, it is the best money that I ever spent.

[amazonianwoman]

Keep trying John Lewis online, they seem to replenish their stock fairly frequently. Better guarantee from them too.

[Oblomov]

I too am intereasted in why Joan recommended the normal ipad over the mini.

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

I didn't mean that iPads are branded rubbish...I've got three! I meant that when any new Apple products are released, people brand them rubbish or not worth the money.

I love my iPads. I haven't got a Mini, but only because I can't really see the point. I do have a Nexus 7 that I carry around with me though, so I suppose the Mini could have filled that purpose.

[Oblomov]

I have heard good things about the nexus 7 and wonder why you chose to carry that around rather than the ipad or mini.

[rainbowriver]

Thanks all! It wouldn't be as a present as such but just something we would all use and have been thinking about for a while and wanted one for Christmas.

Will keep an eye on John Lewis site, thanks.

Also thought about getting the normal size ipad but having seen both, there doesn't seem to be too much difference in size so just thought I'd go for the cheaper or the two.

If anyone thinks that's the wrong choice I would be interested to hear why.

Thanks

[joanbyers]

I have a normal sized ipad, the ipad 4, and the reason I recommend the ipad 4 is the hardware is much better, the screen has got 4 x the number of pixels, it has double the memory, the processor is more than twice as fast, and so on.

The ipad Mini is effectively a miniaturized ipad 2, which means that you are paying relatively top dollar for old tech.

There is of course a trade-off for reducing size, in computing terms, but when you realise that the iphone in some respects is faster than the ipad 2, you realise that the mini is what is known in the trade as a 'parts bin special', i.e. some of these technological compromises are there to get the product out the door, and they will release a significantly improved one in six months time.

The first iPad had 256MB of RAM, the second 512MB, and the third and fourth 1GB (i.e. 1024MB), and the mini, like the ipad2 has 512MB. What this means is that early iPad software was designed for 256MB, but now and increasingly iPad users will have four times that amount, and new software, that perhaps does not exist yet, will be designed with that in mind. Which of course is bad news if you own a 512MB iPad mini.

The iPad mini will be obsolete much sooner than the iPad 4, or iPad 3 (available at a reduced cost, and often little more than the ipad mini), and for that reason a false economy IMO.

The iPad mini has been praised for its size, and for people who specifically are looking for a lighter more portable iPad as a concept it will make sense, but even for them, not IMO, until v2, unless they've got significant $$$ to burn.

[hoolahoolagirl]

I saw the mini iPads in HMV today if you are still looking for one? Didn't realise they did these types of electricals!

[InVeryveryBadTaste]

Got one from John Lewis last week for dd2 birthday and we luuuurrrvvvee it . But don't have full sized (yet) to compare it to. Give me time

[mumofthemonsters808]

Received mine last week direct from Apple Store, not opened it yet as it is DD's Christmas pressie.

[SavoyCabbage]

My apple-loving nerd of a husband said a lot of the things Joan said too.

There have been problems with apps too as before there were two screen sizes with the iPhone and the ipad. Now there are two more with the mini and the iPhone 5.

[twolittledarlings]

I managed to get 2 mini iPads for my 2 dds for Xmas/ birthdays.

I got them from John Lewis online. If you buy from them, you get 2 years guarantee. Same prices as from any other shops. If you get from Apple who did have stocks when I lasted looked, you only get 1 year but you get free engraving.

I had the Mini iPad John Lewis page as my favourite so at every opportunity when I was on my iPad, I would click on my favourites. I managed to get lucky 3 weeks ago when it showed in stock so immediately ordered 2 for pick up next day. So really happy. Was thinking that if I couldn't get it from JL, then would have to get it from Apple but ASAP as now only a few weeks to Christmas.

[joanbyers]

Honestly I'm surprised at the demand. All apple products are overpriced, which is what it is, but I don't see the clamour to buy an inferior product when the better one is freely available. Compared with rival products the mini is not cheap, i.e. someone wanting a CHEAP tablet would not buy an iPad mini, so you are left with the conclusion that it is not only expensive but also quite obviously inferior, whereas you could certainly understand paying a premium for the best tablet on the market, paying a premium for an inferior one seems odd....

[twolittledarlings]

We first wanted to get the Kindle Fire but decided to pay a little more for the iPad mini because I didn't wanted to only get stuff from Amazon, I prefer ITunes instead i usual the account quite regularly and there are more choices but also because as we have an IMac and an IPad, we can sync all and any accessories I get from Apple can work for all of these.

That's my reason for choosing the IPad minis.

[BellaVita]

We have ordered one for DS direct from Apple - two week wait. Should be here next week.

[BestIsWest]

I was going to get one for DH but it doesn't have the retina display that some ipads and iphones have so there will be a new version out before too long.

[Oblomov]

Thank you Joan for your incredibly informative answering of my question.

[PearlyWhites]

I bought mine online , came in ten days

[angelmcguiresaaw]

I biught it from Ebay. Very good price and service :)