iPad Mini hits Apple stores (pictures)

People started lining up in New York City at 10 p.m. Thursday for the iPad Mini.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

Apparently, the limited public transportation and a blackout over a large chunk of Manhattan didn't deter people from getting to the Cube on Fifth Ave., which still has power. At 7 a.m. ET on Friday, people are already lining up for iPad Mini in front of Apple's flagship store.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

The Apple Store on Fifth, like most of upper Manhattan, did not suffer any flooding or power outages due to Hurricane Sandy, which hit the city Monday evening. For Apple, it's business as usual. Here is the store plaza around 8:20 a.m ET.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

Chris Sanders decided to show up at Apple's Upper West Side store around 3:30 a.m. ET today, and was among the first in line. The Web developer from Harlem wanted an iPad Mini because "I have big muscles but the iPad is very heavy." He says he made a spur of the moment decision to come. "I was writing code in the middle of the night," he said. "And I thought, 'Oh, I'll see if anyone is standing in line.'"

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

There were about 60 people who got in line at the Upper West Side Apple store in Manhattan.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

Andrew Li was the first person in line. Here he poses with his new iPad Mini.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

No one was at the Apple Store on West 14th Street in Manhattan for the launch of the iPad Mini. There were still sand bags here, a reminder of the flooding that struck the city during Hurricane Sandy. And it's a stark contrast to long lines uptown where life seems to have returned to normal.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

Gabriel Perez (left) and his father Nelson Perez are from Brazil but took time out during their visit to Washington D.C. to buy a couple of iPad Minis.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

The line at about 7:10 a.m. PT at the downtown San Francisco store.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

The entrance to the San Francisco Apple store.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

The iPad Mini on display at the San Francisco Apple store.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

A shot taken just before 7 a.m. PT in Palo Alto, Calif. There's about 50 people waiting outside the newly opened Apple Store on University Avenue, two blocks down from the former Palo Alto location.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

The Palo Alto Apple store ready for its customers.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

Jeff Wang, 2nd in line, left, and Brad Peterson, 1st in line, right, at the Palo Alto Apple store.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price

The Apple store in Palo Alto about to open for business.

CNET review: Apple's iPad Mini: The perfect size, but at a price