In a note to clients -- as reported by "CNET" -- J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz thinks the rumored "iPad mini" will steal even more sales away from the weakening personal computer market. The smaller Apple tablet is expected to be unveiled at a special media event on Tuesday.

"In our view, the iPad Mini stands to target price-sensitive users and the e-reader crowd," Moskowitz said in an investors note today. "Given the global economic uncertainty, we think price-sensitive users could gravitate toward an iPad Mini instead of making a PC purchase."

In tough financial times like these, consumers opt for "feel good" purchases, said the analyst, giving the edge to the iPad Mini and other tablets over PCs. What's more, consumers are expected to refresh their smartphones and tablets two or three times before they buy a new computer, which means the life of your average PC could drag out from four or five years to six or seven years, Moskowitz says.

Read more at http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57537068-37/ipad-mini-could-hurt-pc-ma... .