There are rumors that Apple will roll out an iPad mini in 2012. In the past I've doubted this; after all, the late Steve Jobs said the screen size of the current Apple tablet was the optimum size for what Apple wanted to accomplish with the tablet.

Now I'm less certain. I think there's a good chance that Apple will roll out an "iPad mini" to take on the very popular Kindle Fire. In fact, Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com) says Apple is likely to launch 7.85-inch iPad mini in the third quarter of 2012 with LGD and AUO seem to be the potential suppliers.

Of course, next year will also see the roll-out of the iPad 3 with a retina display. And I wouldn't be surprised to see the iPad 2 still sold at a reduced price. In other words, look for there to be a line of iPads, as there multiple Mac and iPhone models.

-- Dennis Sellers