I called and put in a pre-order with business partner person at the store...64GB 4G LTE, and was told they wouldn't be shipping for "possibly a few weeks."
Certainly not by end of next week. She said they were really not putting orders through for the 64 GB 4GLTE till "after" the opening selling on the wifi only model.
So...I will wait, but given the huge rollout of upgrades on almost EVERY Apple product within past few months, including now, with lowering of profit margins, Apple is scrambling to sell MORE products, rather than charge too high a premium.
Also, very evasive in the conference call when asked about whether supply would meet demands by the holidays, meaning end of year. Tim Cook waffled on that, saying he wasn't sure.
Then, they lowered their guidance on earnings from $15+ per share to $11+ per share for their usual blowout quarter.
So...I sold all but 50 of my Apple shares....this being said.
Yes...I still want my mini, will wait for it. I didn't buy it to be the first to have one in hand. I bought it because I believe Apple still makes the best product and because they all work within an ecosystem. You can call that "forcing" buyers to stay Apple, or whatever, but the product is still stellar.
terri