White iPad Mini Sold Out After Preorders

The white version of the iPad Mini sold out shortly after the highly anticipated device became available for purchase.

At 3 a.m. EST Friday, Apple started preorders for the iPad Mini and according to Gizmodo, the initial stock of white iPad minis has already run dry -- pushing back shipping by another two weeks.

In fact, the coveted white model was in such hot demand that CNN Money reports it sold out in a brisk 20 minutes.

The black iPad Mini is still available, however, and will ship by Nov. 2.

Mashable writes:

Though the white and black iPads mini are identical when it comes to technical specifications, white versions of Apple products have traditionally been viewed as more exclusive. One example of this is the white iPhone 4, which reached the market almost one year after the black version.

While this could mean that the white iPad mini is more popular than the black one, it could also mean that Apple had fewer white devices in stock than black ones.

It is yet unclear as to whether the preorder sell-out of the white iPad will affect the device's launch in stores on Nov. 2. Nonetheless, as BostInno.com writes, analysts have reported that the iPad Mini will be an "extremely hot item this holiday season," so pre-ordering the gadget now may be a wise move.

But before you drop money on that shiny new iPad Mini, be sure to check out the 5 ways that the smaller iPad falls short of its larger predecessor.

Will you be buying a new iPad Mini for yourself or a loved one? Tell us in the comments below.