Reports emerged last week that Apple is unlikely to deliver the iPad Mini 2 anytime in the last quarter of 2013, at least not the Retina-laced version, and its release date likely to be pushed back on Q1 2014.

However, a holiday quarter without the certifiable bestseller that is the iPad Mini seems unlikely, according to numerous Apple watchers. If indeed the tech giant is unable to surmount the production challenges that have been hampering production of the compact iOS tablet, there has to be a viable alternative.

Perhaps a budget iPad Mini 2 build, which has been the subject of the forecasts coming out from KGI Securities' Ming-chi Kuo. Mr Kuo is somehow convinced that Apple will not allow the Christmas to pass without cashing in on the flood of consumers flush with cash.

The likelihood of a refreshed iPad Mini skipping out the holiday rush is quite unthinkable, Patently Apple said in a report, insisting too that prior to the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C push outs in September the devices were reported to suffer delays in hitting the market.

They came out as expected though the 5S availability appears hindered by low inventory. At the very least, the same issue will mar the iPad Mini 2 debut this year but the good thing is, it will be out there for shoppers to hunt.

The same goes for Gotta Be Mobile, even plotting a possible November 2013 outing for the Mini 2 and yes, toting a high-resolution Retina. The tech site noted that enhancing the Mini's display is no longer an issue for Apple. It is the inclusion of the Touch ID fingerprint scanner that has been giving Apple bouts of headaches.

Nonetheless, such difficulty and other more should be resolved soon enough and Apple will launch the iPad Mini 2 with the slimmed down iPad 5 on October 15, the GBM report suggested.

The most sensible release date should be on the middle part of November, given that not enough units will reach Apple's warehouses.

Per Mr Kuo, some two million iPad Mini 2s will be produced by December 2013, which indeed will be too little if the upgrade will replicate the first edition's performance last year. According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, the original Mini clocked more than 20 million unit sales in Q4 2013.

So the possibility remains high that the iPad Mini 2 will see the light of the day in the final two months of 2013 but those planning to replace their existing Minis will have to battle it out with the millions who also want to get hold of the iOS 7-powered slate.

And they better gear up for what seems to be brewing as an adventurous iPad Mini 2 hunting later year if indeed the forecasted November 2013 release date pans out.