As a proud owner of a first generation and a third generation iPad, I was curious as to what the iPad mini reviews would say before deciding whether I should go out and get one.

Here is a roundup of all the top info I could gather on the iPad mini from around the web:

• with a 7.9 inches display, the iPad mini is larger than the Nexus or the Kindle Fire but is still small enough to be held in one hand
• it has a A5 chip processor
• it is 7.2 mm thick
• it weighs only 0.68 pounds
• it has access to 275,000 apps from the Appstore
• it has a front-facing and a rear-facing camera
• unfortunately, it does not have a Retina diplay–this may be one of its major drawbacks, according to some reviewers
• other reviewers think that its 1024 x 768 display, which is like that of the iPad 2, is more than adequate for watching videos
• it is pricy for a small tablet, coming in at $329 for the 16 GB wifi-only version
• one reviewer recommends it for combined use with a MacBook Pro
• for CNET’s first look video review, see below:

So, will I buy an iPad mini?  I will probably wait until they come out with an iPad mini that has a retina display, because after using my third-generation iPad for months, I have become accustomed to the beautiful, clear display and am not sure how I would feel if I had to re-adjust to a lower resolution screen.  How about you?  Do you have one, or do you plan on getting one?  Please comment below.

The tablet wars are on again.  Amazon is reportedly planning to release a 10 inch Kindle Fire to compete with Apple’s iPad head-on.  Perhaps this is in reponse to Apple’s plans to release a 7 inch mini iPad that will compete head-on with the original Kindle Fire.

Here is a summary of the rumors around the upcoming 10 inch Kindle Fire:

1.  The larger Kindle Fire is codenamed “Hollywood” as was reported by BGR already a year ago, before the original Kindle Fire even launched.

2.  It will have a quad-core processor.

3.  It will launch in the third quarter of 2012.

4.  Amazon could price the 10 inch Kindle Fire at around $299 to compete with the iPad, according to this report.

Meanwhile, the iPad mini is quickly becoming a reality, despite Steve Jobs’ repoted opposition to the project, as suppliers announce that they are preparing to ship the smaller panels.  The cost of the iPad mini could go as low as $199, to really be able to compete with the original Kindle Fire.  Thus, it seems that the end of 2012 will see a new round of tablet wars between Amazon and Apple.

I think that more competition can only be good for the consumer, so let the games begin.

Now that Amazon has announced its new $199 Kindle Fire tablet, rumors have already begun that Apple has an iPad mini in the works.  I have rounded up the latest iPad mini rumors below:

1.  Screen size:  the iPad mini is rumored to have a 7.85 inch screen, compared to the 9.7 inch (diagonal) screen that the current iPads have.  There are rumors out of Taiwan that Apple has already ordered 7.85 inch test screens from LG display and AU optronics.  This is despite Steve Jobs’ outspoken opposition to smaller tablets.

Source

2.  Resolution:  the new screen is rumored to have the same 1024 x 768 resolution as the current iPad 2 screen.  Hopefully this means that apps will run just as well on the mini iPad as on the current iPads.

3.  Launch:  it is rumored that the launch would happen early in 2012.

4.  Price:  most experts agree that any iPad mini would have to cost something close to $199 in order to be competitive with the new Kindle Fire.  There are even rumors that the iPad mini will be cheaper but not smaller.

Launch of the iPad mini is rumored to be followed closely by the launch of the larger iPad 3, which will have a 2048 x 1536 pixels high definition screen, as I related in my earlier post.

My take on this is that the iPad mini might be great for children, with their smaller fingers.  As a parent, I know I would be much more likely to buy my child an iPad mini of his own at $199 than a $499 or more iPad 2.  I think the iPad mini is also great for people who primarily want to read or to watch movies on the iPad, and who therefore prefer something lighter and easier to hold than a full-size iPad.  Would you consider buying an iPad mini?  Please comment below.