Today marks the official launch of the iPad mini and 4th generation iPad in Canada and other launch countries around the world. Early reports have noted line ups haven’t been as huge compared to previous iPad launches. Below are a couple images of the Eaton Centre Apple Store in Toronto:
…at 5:42AM EDT (via @matthew416):
…at 8:13AM EDT, around 25 people (via @swotam):
The reason for shorter lines this time around? One could conclude it was due to the fact Apple had easy online pre-orders for the iPad mini last week. Others are probably holding off buying the iPad mini until they get hands on with the device. Early reviews noted the form factor (the iPad mini is slightly thinner than the iPhone 5) and build quality was impressive, but also noted the non-Retina display as a shortcoming.
We noted Future Shop and Best Buy would be open at 8AM local time for the iPad mini launch. Some stores had delays getting stock right at the opening.
So the big questions: did you buy an iPad mini today? Did you line up? Has your pre-order arrived yet?
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My preorder arrived at 10:30 AM local time, and I am very pleased with my purchase.
My pre-order has arrived as of 11:45am EST.
I’m still waiting for UPS.
Will I line up for the iPad mini? No. Did I pre-order? No. Do I think it looks cool? Sure. But I’d be lying if I said not having a retina display on it is ok. I’ll just enjoy my third gen iPad in the mean time.
Do any of the stores have white minis?
I went to 4 different BBY and FS stores in the Mtl south shore. Either they had:
– no stock
– 16gb white
– 64gb black
I do have my preorder in for a 32gb white. If i was able to score one I would o cancelled my pre-order which ships in 2 weeks.
Best Buy and Futureshop in Dartmouth, NS did not have any iPad Minis when they opened at 8am this morning. There was no line at either location. They indicated that their shipment was delayed due to Hurricane Sandy. Sometime before lunch they each received their shipment, Best Buy told me they received 10 32gb WiFi Black, and Futureshop ? 16gb WiFi Black. I picked up a 16gb WiFi Black.
“The reason for shorter lines this time around?” … Seriously?! Did you actually think people were going to rush to get an iPad mini like they did an iPhone or even an iPad? The BIG market segments are already covered. The demand in this segment is obviously going to be smaller. It’s a quirky size for one thing. And the competition in this market, who many people are devoted to, or prefer the pricing of, are introducing new products.
Like the Mac Mini – it’s not for everyone.
And many who would actually like one will wait until the next version comes out with Retina display, because they KNOW they will be super pissed when that happens and they already bought the first version.
Steve would have never agreed to making the iPad mini
It looks cheap and feels like a toy, bad move by Apple.
I am so pleased that I went to the Eaton Centre (Toronto). I took that first image @ 5am
The best part was being cheered in by the Apple’ista as the doors opened.
Note: I’m going to trademark “apple’ista” before someone else does. @matthew416
Thanks for the image Matthew!
There was a 40 min lineup at the apple store square one, Mississauga at about 1 pm. I got a black 32 from bb already. I had wanted a white but I guess I’ll just keep it.
Small lineups and even smaller stock.
Lined up at about 7am outside Richmond Centre and was about 20th in line. Line maybe doubled to 40-ish by the time the store opened. Was shocked when they announced “No more white minis” after handing out tickets to the first 10 people in line. They had less than 10 white minis for launch? Seriously, Apple?
BestBuy: Only received Black 32GB models. Not sure how many.
FutureShop: Haven’t received shipment yet … blamed it on Hurricane Sandy (!).
London Drugs: None received in any of the regional stores.
Saw the status update this morning that my mini had arrived in BC at 3am so I was sure I’d get it by noon. However, I called to check in at 11am but they told me the package was STILL in Winnipeg due to a plane mechanical issue. I won’t be able to get it until Monday. UPS is really pissing me off because of the faulty status update – the plane never took off in Winnipeg but they f**king lied on their status update.
Update – the mini has arrived at 1pm! I have no idea how but never use UPS again. NEVER.
They got you your package on time and you are still mad at them?
It never felt great to be told like that, no matter how many systems they have at UPS. I was frustrated by the fact that the plane never took off but the status showed it had landed in BC. The package eventually made it to my door yesterday, but this only proves my doubt. I don’t think I’ll use them anytime soon and I hope this is just an individual case. Good luck with the business.
if you got it in time then the plane must have taken off on time, or your package was on another plane. It sounds like their tracking was accurate and it was the person on the phone who got it wrong.
It was the systems. I called them twice before the package was arrived. Both of times Vancouver system showed “arrival cancelled” while the online system said the plane had arrived/landed. The First representative asked for my number and ensured someone would call back (hah! right), but the second guy actually put me on hold and contacted the Winnipeg office. It turned out it was a mechanical error but they had NO idea where my package was. Here’s a simplified version
Online tracking system- plane arrived. package scanned.
Vancouver office – plane arrival cancelled. package location unknown.
Winnipeg office – plane departure cancelled due to mechanical error. package location unknown.
So my theory is that the plane was actually cancelled, and my package was thrown onto another plane. What’s been tracking online was the alternative plane, not the one that had been cancelled yet updated in both of their office systems.
Anyways that’s a mouthful there… I hope this will clarify the confusion if there’s any. My friend’s happy with his mini and I’m glad that I didn’t break my promise.
I had the iPad 2 3G version and sold it to get this iPad mini.
Having no Regina display didn’t bother me on the iPad 2, I don’t think it’ll bother on the iPad mini. I know what it feels like on the iPhone 5 to have retina, but regardless, if ever I need the retina display, I can always sell and buy.. Not a big deal peeps 😉
Cheers
I’m surprised so many were lining up. Seems like such a niche product to me. Do people really own an iPad AND an iPad mini? If you are only going to buy one doesn’t it make more sense to buy the much better iPad 4? Or even 3?
You say that the second picture was at 8:13 a.m. EDT. Well… I was let into the store at 8:00 a.m. and then they stopped admitting people. There were over 100 people in line prior to 8:00 (I counted).