Cellular-Capable iPad Mini Pre-Orders Arriving in U.S. as Early as Thursday, November 15

Yesterday, we noted that U.S. customers were beginning to report that their pre-orders of the cellular-capable fourth-generation iPad models were beginning to ship, with many seeing delivery dates of this Friday, November 16.

ipad mini lte nov15
FedEx tracking showing iPad mini delivery for November 15

Beginning just a few hours ago, customers who pre-ordered cellular-capable iPad mini models also began seeing shipping notices. Customers seem to be reporting a range of delivery dates for this initial batch of devices, with the earliest ones set for this Thursday, November 15 but others not arriving until Friday or even the following Monday.

As we noted in our earlier reports, AT&T is also expected to begin offering LTE models of the iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad in its retail stores on Friday, with the carrier offering a $100 discount on any tablet for those who sign up for a two-year data plan agreement, including its $10/month Mobile Share tablet add-on package.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)
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Top Rated Comments

GeekLawyer Avatar
160 months ago
I didn't call and aggravate Apple for a quicker delivery date, but I just got my "One of your items has shipped" email from Apple.

My delivery date has bounced around. I ordered a couple of minutes into the pre-sale, a white 16 on Verizon. The website has told me to expect delivery on Nov 23, mid-November, and now November 16.

[s]My tracking number from FedEx says it will actually deliver on 11/15.[/s] "Mid-November" indeed.

Edit to add: Now FedEx tracking site reports delivery on 11/16. Seems like a lot of people are seeing the same change.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Yvan256 Avatar
160 months ago
$10/month Mobile Share tablet add-on package?

So they make you pay to be able to share data with your cellphone, which you're already paying for? Am I reading that correctly? :confused:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Popeye206 Avatar
160 months ago
sooo many folks will be getting a new old retina less ipad2 in shrunken and called "Ipad mini" form from santa clause this christmas :o:o:o:o

Yup... and they won't care or even know the difference... they will just love their new toy. :-)

I remember last year at Kohls around Christmas a woman buying a $60 no-name tablet refer to it as an iPad and how much her niece wanted an iPad and how excited she would be over that one.... it was almost heart breaking. :D
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Westside guy Avatar
160 months ago
Yes, though I can't imagine why that's confusing. I've done the tethering thing, and it's worth $10 for the slight performance edge you get being able to use LTE directly, plus the convenience of not having to go in and turn the tethering on every time, plus the ability to use the two devices when they're not in physical proximity to each other.

Given that the cell providers don't offer any additional data allotment with a tethering plan, I don't see why one should have to pay anything extra for tethering - period.

----------

... I think I can live without the Retina screen for a year or so.

If having a Retina display means extra weight and thickness (as is the case with the full-size iPad) - I'd just as soon have a decent, non-Retina display on the Mini.

In my mind the Mini is all about portability.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KPOM Avatar
160 months ago
2 ipad mini's received 9:02 11/15/12!!!! One full day ahead of schedule !!!!!

Nice. I'm glad I'm getting mine a day early as I'm leaving tomorrow for a weekend trip. I'll have my new iPad mini to take with me.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Splash92553 Avatar
160 months ago
Verizon 16GB Black for me, but it is also on the vehicle for delivery! Perfect timing as I just canceled the wireless service on my old iPad and it expires today.
2 ipad mini's received 9:02 11/15/12!!!! One full day ahead of schedule !!!!!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)