iPad mini 2 release date is generally believed to fall within late Q3 to early Q4 this year. Many gadget shoppers are waiting for a confirmation. For them, now is a good time to hunt the stores for the best, most affordable iPad mini deals. How much is the iPad mini now in Australia?

We looked at two Aussie online shopping sites to check the current iPad mini price tags. Below is a quick look at the price per storage (GB) per connectivity (WiFi only or WiFi + 4G). When you check the prices yourself, be sure to spot the fine print for inclusions and any additional charges the stores might ask. When the iPad mini 2 release date is officially announced, you may expect these prices to fall even more nicely.

iPad Mini Price per Model on Australian Store MobiCity.com.au

16 GB WiFi $409 (4G $569)

32GB WiFi $529 (4G $669)

64GB WiFi $619 (4G $769)

iPad Mini Price per Model on Australian Store Kogan.com/au

16 GB WiFi $329 (4G $489)

32GB WiFi $439 (4G $609)

64GB WiFi $539 (4G $679)

Why iPad mini?

Upon its release, the iPad mini drew some criticism for skipping the Apple Retina display technology. But those who were not accustomed to Retina (and those who did not mind) lauded the mini for its light weight feature. A couple million iPad 4 and iPad mini were sold within days. This proved Apple made the right call in rolling out the mini sans the Retina in November 2012.

iPad mini is the gadget of choice among many eBook readers and active internet browsers. Some gamers tend to look the Android way. The Nexus 7 and other tablets are more powerful inside for their gaming heavy requirements. But light to moderate users find that the mini's battery power is sufficient for their use. The classy touch and sophisticated look of the mini are often cited as buying factors, too.

Inside iPad mini is Apple's dual-core A5 chip, with 512MB of RAM. The WiFi only variant weighs only 308g, a strain-free weight for electronic readers. The device sports a 1024 x 768 pixels LED-backlit IPS screen display. The 5MP camera works well outdoors for easy photo sharing.

More 'Apple, iPad Mini 2' Features:

iPad Mini 2 Release Date, New Nexus 7 June-July Arrival: Same Screen Display? Battle of 2013 Small Tablet Upgrades Soon! [READ]
Apple iPhone 5S, Google Nexus 5, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Rumours Round-up: LG Dismisses New Nexus Phone Speculations [READ]
iPad 5 or iPad Mini 2 Release: Both Arriving with Retina Display, Which Apple Tablet Should You Wait For? [READ]