iPad mini shown off in official pictures

The iPad mini is finally upon us, ending months of wild speculation, and bringing a 7.9-inch screen and specs akin to the iPad 2. I've compiled some of Apple's official shots of the new slate into a gallery above so click through to see what it's like.

The mini was strongly rumoured for a long time to be packing a 7.9-inch display, and that's exactly what we got. The front is an all-glass affair with the home button at the bottom. The aluminium chassis offers rounded, machined edges that make it look rather similar to Apple's new iPod touch.

At only 7.2mm thick, it's a fair bit skinnier than the iPad and knocks a good chunk off Google's popular Nexus 7 tablet which measures in at 10mm. It's 120mm long and 135mm wide, so it's not going to slide easily into your jeans pocket, but our buddies at CNET.com report it feels very comfortable to hold in one hand while reading.

Like the iPad, it's available in both black and white, with the black model offering the same anodised back seen on the iPhone 5. It also features the new smaller Lightning dock connector, so it won't work with any of your older speaker docks unless you buy the adaptor too.

It's available from November starting at £269 for the Wi-Fi only 16GB model, with 32 and 62GB models being available. It'll also offer 3G and 4G connectivity -- although you'll be restricted to only ever using EE's network for the latter.

I'll be getting my hands on a model for a full review soon, so stay tuned for the final verdict of whether it's worth the money. In the meantime, have a browse through the photo gallery above and make sure to let me know your thoughts in the comments below and over on our Facebook page.

The back of the white model will have a standard silver finish.

The black version, however, will have the same anodised back seen on the iPhone 5.

It's apparently as thin as a pencil. A regular pencil, that is, not one of those huge novelty ones.

The iPad mini is so amazing you can even pick it up by the corner.

Confusing plant spirals may or may not be included.

Poking around your email is pretty much the same as on the bigger iPad, only smaller.

Look, apps! If that doesn't float your boat, I don't know what will.

Everyone loves pianos, so you're bound to love a piano on the iPad. Right?

If you get bored at work you can fire up Real Racing 2 and take some cars for a spin.

You'll be able to get a smart cover for the mini that can fold into a handy stand.

Your kids will look considerably happier in all photos you take on the iPad mini.

It'll have Siri too, which is exactly as exciting as it is on the iPhone.

You can use AirPlay to send your video and music to your TV or hi-fi.