Apple readying 6 million iPad minis for Q3 2012 launch

Chinese web portal NetEase has claimed Apple will launch an 'iPad mini' in Q3 2012 in an effort to fend off pending competition from Windows 8 tablets.

The report translated by Kotaku claims the shrunken slate will retail from between $249 to $299 (possibly depending on internal memory) with manufacturing duties handled by Foxconn and Pegatron.

Growing consensus

Altogether, it's claimed both parties could produce up to 6 million units in preparation for the tablet's launch.

The Q3 2012 launch date itself ties in with previous iPad mini rumours, including a leaked document from investment bank Samsung Securities which predicted a Q3 launch window for a 7-inch Apple slate.

If true, Steve Jobs' now-famous dismissal of small-form iPad competitors - "the current crop of 7-inch tablets are going to be dead on arrival" - could well be dusted off and hurled back at the company with some enthusiasm.

[source: NetEase (in Chinese)]