iPad Mini sneaks into stores down under

Apple's latest mobile computing product, the iPad Mini, went on sale today across Australia, with far less fanfare than is expected for the launch of an iPad or iPhone.

Eager punters queued at the Apple store on George Street in Sydney's CBD, but in far fewer numbers than were seen recently for the launch of the iPhone 5. An hour after the doors opened for the early bird adopters, the number of customers in the store had returned to normal levels.

Apple announced the iPad Mini on 23 October, with the company's executive team introducing the new, smaller iPad alongside an upgraded full-sized iPad and new all-in-one iMac desktop computers. The smaller iPad includes a 7.9-inch screen, and the Wi-Fi-only model weighs 308 grams, half that of the latest iPad.

CNET's Scott Stein completed his iPad Mini review this week, scoring the tablet eight out of 10 and noting that its premium price is one of the only factors holding it back. You can read the full iPad Mini review here.