Retina iPad Mini Shipping Times Lengthening at Major U.S. Carriers Amid Supply Constraints

MacRumors · Nov 21, 2013

Major U.S. carriers Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile are still experiencing back orders on the cellular version of the iPad Mini with Retina Display, signaling that the 3G/4G version of the tablet is still experiencing heavy supply constraints, reports CNET. While Apple's online store still shows that cellular Retina iPad minis are available to ship in 5-10 business days, Verizon's page for the device shows that the device will ship by December 2, with T-Mobile and AT&T showing 6-8 week and 21-28 day delivery estimates, respectively.

Small amounts of stock of the cellular-capable models of the device began trickling into Apple's U.S. retail stores one day after the device's surprise launch last week, with Apple offering a Personal Pickup option for online orders. However, overall production of the device has been heavily constrained for the time being due to suggested display production issues, with shipments of the tablet likely to double in Q1 2014 as shortages ease.

First announced at Apple's iPad-centric October event, the second-generation iPad mini features a high resolution 2048x1536 display, with 326 pixels per inch, and a 64-bit A7 chip with the M7 motion co-processor. Those interested in purchasing the device can also check out an unofficial web tracker for checking the availability of Retina iPad mini models at Apple's U.S. retail locations. The tracker continues to show low in-store availability, with Sprint and low-capacity Wi-Fi models seeing the best supplies.

Article Link: Retina iPad Mini Shipping Times Lengthening at Major U.S. Carriers Amid Supply Constraints

TallManNY · Nov 21, 2013

I got my LTE version. Nice piece of equipment. However, I can see how it is not ultimately a replacement for a full-sized iPad. Some stuff just comes up on the screen a bit too small. But it does what I need it to do. I left my briefcase at home this morning and was still able to read emails and documents on my subway ride into work.

Not pocketable into inside suit jacket though. Which is a negative over the Nexus 7 form factor. It being winter, it easily fits into winter coats. But still a drawback on this form factor.

dumastudetto · Nov 21, 2013

But I thought Retina iPad Mini was a huge failure with a terrible color gamut and nobody wants to buy one?!?!?!!?

akron0488 · Nov 21, 2013

Apple still seems to have plenty though. So much for constrained supplies "for the rest of the year."

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TallManNY said:
I got my LTE version. Nice piece of equipment. However, I can see how it is not ultimately a replacement for a full-sized iPad. Some stuff just comes up on the screen a bit too small. But it does what I need it to do. I left my briefcase at home this morning and was still able to read emails and documents on my subway ride into work.

Not pocketable into inside suit jacket though. Which is a negative over the Nexus 7 form factor. It being winter, it easily fits into winter coats. But still a drawback on this form factor.

That's what your iPhone/smartphone is for. Not sure why people need iPad to read emails while on the go unless you're looking at charts or graphs constantly.

I love my mini. Couldn't go back to regular iPad now as it seems far too big. The mini is perfect for travel and the screen isn't intrusive to anyone. You can privately watch a movie without taking too much space and it fits perfectly in one hand.

Pyrrhic Victory · Nov 21, 2013

This year has shown the most dysfunctional supply chain management from a so-called technology giant the world has ever seen. Apple really needs to hire someone like me to clean up their mess; I am supremely qualified and stuff just seems to get done a lot quicker whenever I'm around.

UnfetteredMind · Nov 21, 2013

My space gray 16GB WiFi + Cellular T-Mobile version is to arrive on Friday. Looking forward to my first iPad!

WaxedJacket · Nov 21, 2013

So glad I'm poor right now cuz I'd just be blowing my cash on Apple products

This allows me to wait for this whole fiasco to settle and maybe have a few rMini's show up on the refurb store.

Noctilux.95 · Nov 21, 2013

iPad mini Retina 16gb wifi available at B&H Photo, right now.

btollenaar · Nov 21, 2013

refurb is great way to go. couldn't wait myself. picked up a 32GB wifi version and couldn't be happier.

cxc273 · Nov 21, 2013

Non-Apple retailers don't seem to have any of the cellular versions at all.

skiltrip · Nov 21, 2013

btollenaar said:
refurb is great way to go. couldn't wait myself. picked up a 32GB wifi version and couldn't be happier.

I usually hold out for the refurb thing too, but I jumped on it on launch day. The tech sites were dead on when they said that this was the iPad mini we all wanted in the first place.

musika · Nov 21, 2013

I was able to pick up a T-Mobile model in NYC pretty easily yesterday. It's a great device.

Jeremy1026 · Nov 21, 2013

cxc273 said:
Non-Apple retailers don't seem to have any of the cellular versions at all.

And Target has yet to receive any retina minis period. Let alone cellular.

giantfan1224 · Nov 21, 2013

akron0488 said:
Apple still seems to have plenty though. So much for constrained supplies "for the rest of the year."

How do you figure? This tells me otherwise. I have yet to see an LTE iteration of any kind at my local Apple store.

gri · Nov 21, 2013

So, if the cellular versions are in short supply why is then the bottle neck the display production issue? Doesn't make sense to me.

s2obed · Nov 21, 2013

Ordered my iPad mini 32gb silver from AT&T's website on the morning of 11/13. When I ordered it the order status said it didn't ship for 21-28 days but I received an email Friday 11/15 saying it shipped and just received mine on Tuesday

ElectronGuru · Nov 21, 2013

gri said:
So, if the cellular versions are in short supply why is then the bottle neck the display production issue? Doesn't make sense to me.

One of the biggest challenges in production is prioritization, particularly with so many models. MR readers aside, wifi models are the most popular so apple focused the limited display stock on making wifi models available in the most places as early as possible.

Having said that, the TMO change may have shifted things a bit.

staveb · Nov 21, 2013

Why would it matter which carriers have the iPad mini in stock? I thought you can just switch out the SIM as these new models work with all the different bands. Am I missing something?

JAT · Nov 21, 2013

TallManNY said:
I got my LTE version. Nice piece of equipment. However, I can see how it is not ultimately a replacement for a full-sized iPad. Some stuff just comes up on the screen a bit too small. But it does what I need it to do. I left my briefcase at home this morning and was still able to read emails and documents on my subway ride into work.

Wow! What kind of briefcase shows you emails?

giantfan1224 · Nov 21, 2013

staveb said:
Why would it matter which carriers have the iPad mini in stock? I thought you can just switch out the SIM as these new models work with all the different bands. Am I missing something?

My understanding is that since the devices are not carrier locked that you can swap out SIMs and use them on any network but that the different versions available are optimized for use on a carrier specific network.

Technarchy · Nov 21, 2013

I got the last 16gb wifi model best buy had. They blew out their whole shipment within 60 miles in one day.

It's very slick.

LFMNX · Nov 21, 2013

I ordered the 128G WiFi only model from Apple on-line. Although the website said 5-10 days it shipped in a day. No antenna of course but still the stated lead time was more than reality.

TallManNY · Nov 21, 2013

akron0488 said:
Apple still seems to have plenty though. So much for constrained supplies "for the rest of the year."

----------

That's what your iPhone/smartphone is for. Not sure why people need iPad to read emails while on the go unless you're looking at charts or graphs constantly.

I love my mini. Couldn't go back to regular iPad now as it seems far too big. The mini is perfect for travel and the screen isn't intrusive to anyone. You can privately watch a movie without taking too much space and it fits perfectly in one hand.

Emails are no problem. But I've got time on my commute to read a 10 page document and that would be a pain on a phone, even a phablet. I also prefer reading the paper on the Mini than on the iPhone. The full iPad worked great, especially if I had a seat. But for one handed reading it wasn't ideal and it necessitated a bag to carry it in. Sometimes the iPad was the only thing in my briefcase. It was kind of silly.

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JAT said:
Wow! What kind of briefcase shows you emails?

A brief case with an iPad in it. Now Mini just goes in coat pocket and briefcase stays at the office unless laptop and printed docs are coming home with me.

AppleMark · Nov 21, 2013

akron0488 said:
That's what your iPhone/smartphone is for.

- Agreed [putting in your pocket].

Not sure why people need iPad to read emails while on the go unless you're looking at charts or graphs constantly.

- Sometimes you need to not only read emails, but comfortably respond to them on the go also. I for one cannot do that on the [current form factor...] iPhone.

I love my mini. Couldn't go back to regular iPad now as it seems far too big. The mini is perfect for travel and the screen isn't intrusive to anyone. You can privately watch a movie without taking too much space and it fits perfectly in one hand.

- Same here. The mini is great for travelling and on the go. I am still impatiently waiting for my new one to arrive.

ebika · Nov 21, 2013

staveb said:
Why would it matter which carriers have the iPad mini in stock? I thought you can just switch out the SIM as these new models work with all the different bands. Am I missing something?

It's just a convenience thing, since the carrier-specific nano SIM comes preinstalled. If you swap the SIM yourself, then it becomes a non-issue, mostly. I've heard Verizon is a jerk when it comes to activating devices that are not certified by them, so getting a Verizon SIM could be challenging for some.

Retina iPad Mini Shipping Times Lengthening at Major U.S. Carriers Amid Supply Constraints

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