iPad mini pre-orders start tomorrow, most likely at midnight

Apple's new iPad mini will officially be available for pre-order starting tomorrow, most likely at 12:00 AM Pacific Time (3:00 AM Eastern) based on past Apple pre-order start times. Colloquially, it's more like tonight at midnight and not really "tomorrow," but we digress. At that time, you'll be able to pull out your credit card and reserve your own unit without having to wait in line.Apple will have all of their iPad mini models up for pre-order, but it gets just a bit tricky when it comes to actual shipping dates. WiFi-only models will begin shipping on November 2 and will be available in Apple stores starting at 8 AM that same day. However, WiFi+4G models are on a different release schedule.

US carriers will begin supplying the iPad mini a week or two after the November 2 ship date, with international carriers coming a bit after that. So, if you pre-order a WiFi+4G model, don't expect it to arrive in the mail at the beginning of next month. You'll be waiting a couple more weeks than everyone else.

Pricing for the iPad starts $329 for the 16GB WiFi-only version. The 32GB WiFi-only iPad mini will be $429, while the 64GB version will cost $529. The 16GB WiFi+4G model will be priced at $459, while the 32GB will be $559, and the top-of-the-line 64GB WiFi+4G model will cost $659. Pick your weapon!