Apple to make 7-inch iPad?

With Apple’s huge success on the 10-inch iPad, do you think they may be in the works of creating a 7-inch model for those who have a lower income?  According to the Taiwan’s United Daily News,  Samsung and AU Optronics have sent samples of a 7.85-inch screen to Apple.  Could this means they will be making an iPad Mini?

This report backs up some prior rumors that we’ve heard from Apple’s supply chain about some kind of “iPad Mini,” possibly a more affordable version to compete with the $199, 7-inch Kindle Fire.

Do you actually see Apple creating such a device?  The late Apple founder famously “dissed” 7-inch tablets saying it wasn’t an optimal size for apps and for most users’ fingers.  With many iPad 3 rumors pointing to have a significant resolution upgrade, it’s hard to imagine Apple even thinking about creating such a smaller sized tablet with a lower resolution.  In short terms, shrinking the screen.

Apple has always been about trying to provide the best resolutions on all their displays.  If Apple “is” in the working of a smaller iPad, it doesn’t seem likely that it would be the iPad 3.  I don’t see Apple downgrading when they are technically upgrading.  I just can’t put the two together.

If Apple created a smaller sized tablet, would you purchase one or stick with the 10-inch iPad?  Why or why not?  Leave your thoughts in the comment section.

[via TechJohnson]