As the holidays approach, Apple's Retina iPad mini supplies have begun to improve, alleviating the supply constraints the product has faced since its quiet November 12 launch.
In the Online Apple Store, Retina iPad mini shipping estimates for all models and capacities, including cellular models, have decreased to 1 to 3 days in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Asia Pacific. The Retina iPad mini continues to ship within 3 to 5 days in European countries.
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The new shipping estimates are a significant improvement from shipping estimates in late November, which slipped to 5 to 10 days for multiple weeks before improving to 3 to 5 days earlier this week.
Issues with display yields were reportedly behind Apple's supply shortages, and as a result of the constrained supplies, Apple launched the Retina iPad mini in the middle of the night, offering the tablet solely via its online store and through Personal Pickup. It wasn't until 10 days after launch that Apple began allowing walk-in sales of the Retina mini. Cellular models have been the most constrained, with multiple carriers experiencing back orders on cellular Retina iPad minis in November.
Just a few weeks ago, a report suggested Apple had solved its production problems, allowing it to build up some supplies for the holiday shopping season. Along with shorter shipping estimates, in-store supplies of the Retina iPad mini appear to have improved slightly as well, with several colors and capacities available for immediate pickup in quite a few Apple Stores around the country.
According to an unofficial web tracker, supplies of the 16 and 32 GB Wi-Fi models are widely available, while the larger 64 and 128 GB Retina iPad minis and all cellular minis remain in shorter supply.
Apple’s holiday shipping guidelines now suggest that U.S. customers order the non-engraved Retina iPad mini by December 16 for a December 24 delivery with standard shipping.
(Thanks, Leonard!)
Top Rated Comments
Are you having trouble reading? Guess so. I did say the U.S. is the last to get innovative tech when the company originates outside the U.S. Did Apple and Microsoft suddenly change their place of origin? Last I checked Apple and Microsoft both originated in the United States and to this day their main headquarters are still in the U.S.
Oh I see I didn't realise that Sony was now classed as a US company. That must be the reason you got the PS4 before anyone else - including the Japanese who have to wait until next year to get it.I don't need to prove anything to you, it's relatively common knowledge that the U.S. gets the most innovative tech last from companies that do not either reside in the U.S or did not originate in the U.S. Anyone who disagrees with that is in the minority alongside with you. Don't get upset because two of the largest tech giants are now putting out popular tech. Before Apple and Microsoft put out anything that became super popular it was always Sony or any Japanese company and more times than not certain products from these companies remained exclusive and were never brought to the U.S so once again, quit whining.
And give me a break about CES, that's nothing but a vaporware show.
I think you're the one whining on about how hard done by you are living in the world's most prosperous country. You really must have it hard living in the US. Presumably the fact that you pay less than just about anyone else in the world for your tech products (including Apple products) doesn't factor into your thinking.
My point is apparently you have issues with reading comprehension.[COLOR="#808080"]
If you'd actually read you comment, you'd realize that it makes no sense. I think someone has writing problems. That paragraph seriously makes no sense.It also shows how limited your world view is. Yes, Japan was a major player back then, but products still came to the US first. Even if you don't believe it, it's how it was. And I think you should stop living in the past and realize that the US gets most technology in the first wave of a rollout. I honestly don't know what you're bitching about at all.
Uh, we are talking about tech companies that put out hardware tech products. Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo don't count. Google is limited to an OS and a few portable tech products and Amazon makes a Kindle. Microsoft's major hardware product is the XBOX. Before that all they offered was Windows and Office and everybody got that. Before the iPod Apple wasn't considered a major force to be reckoned with, at that time it was all Japan-based and German companies that put out products and only certain pieces ever made it to the U.S.
And your point is......?
Except no Mac Pro yet.
You had your chance to bid on the red one if you really wanted it by X-mas.