Apple debuted the iPad mini on Tuesday.  Apple's new iPad mini made a maximum impact at its unveiling on Tuesday. After months of rumors, speculation and alleged “leaked” photos, Apple’s worst-kept secret was finally introduced by CEO Tim Cook and other execs at an invitation-only event in San Jose, Calif. As expected, the new device comes with a 7.9-inch screen — nearly 2 inches smaller than the regular iPad — weighs half as much as its big brother, and was described by Apple marketing Vice President Philip Schiller as being “thin as a pencil” at just 7.22mm thick. About the only surprise to the tech heads and writers in attendance was its entry-level price.  The iPad mini, which will compete with such 7-inch tablets as Google’s Nexus 7 and Amazon’s new Kindle Fire HD, costs $329 for the basic 16GB, Wi-Fi-only model. Most people expected the mini to start at $249. “The $329 price point is high, but Apple's betting that many people will pay the premium,” Darren Murph, managing editor of tech site Engadget, told the Daily News. “There’s a huge market of people who have been holding off on buying an iPad, waiting for Apple to create a cheaper alternative. And this is it.” The device, which tops out at $659 for a 64GB model with a 4G network connection, will be available for pre-order on Friday, Apple said. The company also announced a fourth generation iPad with a faster processor, plus upgrades to several products, including the 13-inch MacBook Pro and iMac desktop computer.
New iPads and new Mac computers were among the products unveiled Tuesday at an Apple event in San Jose, Calif. The new Macs include a 13-inch version of a MacBook Pro with sharper, "Retina" display.