A report from Fortune states Apple will mail out press invitations October 10 for a special event taking place October 17 where the company will unveil the much-rumored 7-inch iPad Mini.

Fortune is clear that the date the invites will be sent out, the event announcing the new tablet and Apple’s new tablet are far from confirmed, while citing the rumors stemming from a major Apple investor who asked not to be named (naturally).

Two things: An investor would be wise to spread rumors (even if untrue) given that it will likely cause a spike in Apple shares. Further, it seems more and more likely that Apple would reveal a 7.85-inch tablet in time for the holiday shopping season to compete with Google, Amazon and Barnes & Noble, although Apple’s device release schedule has little to do with what their competition is doing.

According to Fortune, the  iPad Mini will launch on Friday, November 2 following an October 17 reveal. Equally as likely is an Apple iPad Mini launch around October 26, possibly to spoil Microsoft’s Windows 8 launch.

Regardless of when and if Apple unveils an iPad Mini, a big question remains: Would you buy a smaller iPad? If so, what feature(s), and price would cause you to fork over money for a smaller Apple tablet?

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