Mini demand for Apple 7.9″ in Oz today
Apple’s answer to Google’s $249 Nexus 7 is on sale in Oz from today, starting at $369 for 16GB storage WiFi only model.
It comes in black and white and in 32GB and 64GB options costing up to $589.
The 16GB WiFi + 3G model is more pricey than WiFi-only version at $509.
The baby Apple tablet has 4:3 aspect ratio design but with a display of 1,024 by 768 pix, its resolution falls short of the cheaper Google rival.
But despite all the usual Apple hype at last Tuesday’s launch, it appears Aussie consumers are less than enthused about the 7 incher compared to previous all night vigils for iPad 1 and 2, and the queue outside the Apple Store in Sydney at 7.30am this morning covered just one block, say reports.
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| The mini iPad line outside Sydney’s Apple Store this morning. Image creidt: Fairfax Media |
The mini, announced last week, costs $369 and Apple is offering free shipping when you order online, but delivery takes 2 weeks.
The Wifi version is available now with the WiFi + 3G model arriving at the end of the month just in time for the Christmas rush.
But Apple are warning of “limited quantities available”, although judging by the size of this morning’s queue its seems there could be be plenty to go around.
However, JB HiFi already said it expects the iPad mini to be a hot product this Christmas.
Analysts IHS believes the Mini will continue the Cupertino giant’s winning streak, and will tap into the massive number of apps already available for larger 10.1″ iPad.
After all, Apple has sold 100 million of the daddy iPads and is the most popular tablet in OZ by miles.
But it is a market getting more competitive by the day- every man and dog are jumping on the tab bandwagon – just this week Telstra unveiled a 10″ 4G- ready tablet for a cool $480.
Telsyte predict over 2 million tablets will be sold this year in Oz, due to the recent release of the iPad mini, Nexus 7 and the slew of devices being unveiled on Windows 8 from Acer, Asus, Hp to name a few and Microsoft’s Windows 8 Surface RT.
Oz tablet sales grew 188% in the first six months of 2012
