Apple iPad mini Now in Stores

The wait for the much-anticipated iPad mini is over. This 7.9-inch tablet is now in Apple stores, but device is significantly backordered on the Web.

When Apple introduces a new product, it always reserves some for its retail stores, ensuring that people who line up to get the device on launch day can still get it. Those who really wanted an iPad mini today pre-ordered one last week, and the first round of these are being delivered today.

Apple has not yet announced how many units it has sold. That will likely be revealed after launch weekend is over.

More about the iPad mini

While all Apple's previous tablets have had 9.7-inch touchscreens, the mini has a 7.9-inch one. This has a 1024 x 768 resolution, the same as the first and second-generation iPads, so already-existing apps will run on it.

The iPad mini is debuting running Apple iOS 6 on an Apple A5 processor -- the same chip used in the iPad 2 from 2011.

The new tablet uses the Lightning connector, which recently debuted on the iPhone 5. This means that virtually no accessories for current iPads will work with this one, but Apple is working to release a range of cables and adapters.

As far as connectivity, the models available now depend on Wi-Fi for Internet access. Versions with 4G LTE will be available in the middle of this month.

The iPad mini has a 5 MP rear-facing camera, and a 1.2MP front camera, too. Apple is promising 10 hours of battery life.

There are three configurations available: a 16GB model is $330, the 32GB one is $430, while the 64GB model is $530. Adding 4G LTE support will be an additional $130.

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