IPad mini may start at $249 for Wi-Fi 8 GB model, report says

The one remaining mystery surrounding the iPad mini is how much will it cost, but now, a new image on the Web appears to answer that question.

Over the weekend, German tech blogger Florian Schimanke posted what looks like an inventory list of the various iPad mini models. And along with the various models, the list includes prices.

According to the image, the iPad mini will be available in 16 different versions. It will come in both black and white and range in storage from as little as 8 gigabytes to as much as 64 GB. Additionally, the image indicates there will be versions of the device that can connect to cellular networks.

The posted picture, which according to the blog comes from an anonymous informant, shows 8 GB versions of the iPad mini will go for $320. But Gizmodo is reporting that the U.S. price is likely to be $249.

As it points out, Apple charges roughly the same figure in Europe for the third generation iPad as it does in America. It doesn't conpensate for the foreign exchange difference.

As for the inventory list provided by the German blogger, the price goes up to 349 euros for the 16 GB model, 449 euros for the 32 GB device and 549 euros for a 64 GB version.

The cellular-connected versions of the iPad mini start at 349 euros for the 8 GB model, 449 euros for the 16 GB model, 549 for the 32 GB and 649 for the 64 GB versions of the device.

These prices could be completely wrong as they're coming from an unofficial source, but if they are the price points Apple is looking at, it will have the most pricey lower-end tablet among the top players in the market.

By comparison, Amazon sells a 32 GB version of its 7-inch Kindle Fire HD tablet for $249; Google sells a 16 GB version of the 7-inch Nexus 7 for the same price.

The iPad mini is expected to feature a 7.85-inch screen, have an aluminum back cover, be relatively thin, come with two speakers and include Apple's new Lightning connector. The device is expected to be announced Oct. 23.

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