After releasing its Wi-Fi only version to rave reviews and hungry crowds, the LTE-equipped version of the iPad mini and fourth generation iPad are now available in carrier stores.

Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon announced Nov. 16 that they're now carrying the devices, according to InformationWeek.

The LTE iPad mini cost ramps up the price of the Wi-Fi only model. The Wi-Fi model costs $329, $429 and $529 for the 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB variants, respectively. Adding LTE boosts the price by $130, making the final price $459, $559 and $659 for the 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB models, respectively.

Apple launched the Wi-Fi-only fourth-generation iPad and iPad Mini on Nov. 2. The company had promised last month when it announced both devices that it would deliver the LTE-equipped models "a couple weeks" after the Wi-Fi only model.

Since the iPad Mini is being sold at full retail price, consumers are not required to sign contracts with any of the wireless network operators selling it. Each has its own data offerings for the iPad Mini.

In addition to the wireless broadband feature, the LTE iPad Mini also adds GPS. This makes the iPad Mini with LTE a better navigation device. The Wi-Fi model relies only on hotspots for positioning data. The LTE model can use Wi-Fi, cellular and GPS networks to pinpoint its location.

As LTE coverage varies wildly depending on your carrier, LTE availability should play a big role in your purchasing decision.

Verizon covers the most communities with their 4G LTE service: 370 cities and counting, 300 million Americans in more than 400 markets. However, just the company's coverage map shows, if you're in the middle of Kansas, prepare to be very envious of the east coast.

That's the biggest drawback with Verizon's service. If you're not in a 4G LTE coverage area, your service falls back to 3G speeds. Verizon will be done building its LTE 4G network by the middle of 2013, according to InformationWeek.

AT&T loves touting its 4G coverage (275 million customers), but there's a fundamental problem with that claim. What AT&T describes as 4G is technically an HSPA+ network, or a turbo charged 3G (about 3X as fast as 3G). Their 4G LTE network is limited to approximately 50 major metropolitan areas, but they plan to double that number by year-end.

AT&T does have a better fallback plan for areas not covered by their 4G LTE service. AT&T customers without 4G LTE coverage or a 4G-capable device connect to AT&T's HSPA+ network.

Sprint's HSPA+ service is pretty much their top of the line. Just recently Sprint started rolling out 4G service in a few (6) areas. Although, be prepared for the same confusion AT&T has caused with its "4G" network claim. Sprint's calling both its WiMAX and LTE "4G."

The LTE-equipped version of the full-sized iPad also goes on sale today, Nov. 16. It costs $629, $729 and $829 for the 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB models, respectively.

Customers looking to get a new iPad now might want to act quickly. Sprint says it expects "limited quantities" to be available in its stores. "Given the strong demand for nearly all Apple products, that will likely be the case at other carrier stores, as well," says CNET.

The iPad Mini LTE comes in black and white versions, and will range in price from $459 to $659. The fourth-generation iPad with LTE starts at $629 and goes up to $829.

Morgan Stanley researcher Katy Huberty said in a note to investors on Nov. 15 that her recent meetings with members of Apple's supply chain in Asia signaled that iPhone and iPad mini sales are even stronger than had been anticipated.

"Key suppliers into iPhone and iPad noted above seasonal March quarter order trends, stronger than expected December quarter revenue, and the potential to further upside before year-end," Huberty wrote.

Huberty said that supply constraints, including the new in-cell touchscreen panels found in the iPhone 5, are no longer an issue. Suppliers informed her that yield rates are now between 70 and 80 percent in the December quarter.

She believes that Apple will outpace Wall Street expectations in the December quarter. Market watchers generally predict Apple will sell 46 million iPhones and 23 million iPads in the three-month time frame.

She also thinks Apple will again beat expectations in the March quarter, when Wall Street forecasts Apple will sell 43 million iPhones and 19 million iPads.

iPad Mini Specs

You can get an iPad Mini Wi-Fi model in three memory configurations: $329 for 16GB, $429 for 32GB, and $529 for 64GB. On Nov. 16, we'll see Wi-Fi + 4G models go on sale at $459 for 16GB, $559 for 32GB, and $659 for 64GB.

The 1,024x768-pixel resolution matches that of the iPad 2, but on a 7.9-inch display. "This definitely isn't Retina Display, but it's better-than-iPad-2 display. Videos look excellent, and the IPS screen has great wide-viewing angles," said CNET.

Includes a front-facing 720p-capable FaceTime camera, and a 5-megapixel back camera, and also supports 4G LTE, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi at 5.2Ghz, Bluetooth 4.0, and will use Apple's Lightning connector, first seen on the iPhone 5.

Apple claims that the Mini has a 10-hour battery life.