Apple is inviting the tech press to a meeting next week. Most observers think that Apple will announce a smaller version of the iPad. And the most common guess as to screen size is 7.85 inches. Here's how that could look, compared to 7 inch tablets like the Nexus 7, and to the full size iPad. (See below for link to the source of the image.)
It makes sense that Apple would leave the "tall and narrow" screen layout to the iPhone and iPod Touch, and retain the 4:3 screen ratio for the smaller iPad. That way, all magazines and publications that have been prepared for the original iPad will display properly on the smaller iPad. And the huge software library available for the iPad should run without issues.
The next iPad's screen is wider and taller than the typical 7 inch tablet, but I expect the bezel around the screen will be reduced. That will make the overall size of the next iPad be only a little larger than the 7 inch tablets. Since people often hold the tablet by grasping the bezel between thumb and fingers, it will be interesting to see if the smaller bezel poses any problems.
It seems likely to me that the next iPad will distinguish itself by being thinner and lighter than competitors' 7 inch tablets. That will make it easier to balance the next iPad in one hand.
Note I've said "next iPad" instead of the name commonly used in the press, "iPad Mini." I think Apple will use a different name, something like iPad Air, to emphasize the thin and light aspect. "Mini" makes me think of reduced capacity and performance, both of which should be on par with the current full size iPad.
Another way the next iPad will distinguish itself is by offering models with a cellular modem on board. Amazon's Kindle has WhisperNet, but it's not intended to be a way to access general information from the Internet.
Apple has had success selling its full size iPad at a higher price than competitors' Android tablets. It looks like tablets that run Windows RT and Windows 8 will be priced high, also (at least initially). So I don't expect the next iPad to be priced as low as the Amazon Kindle or Google Nexus 7 tablets. Fortunately, iPads and iPhones have held their value in the used marketplace, so you can recoup some of that extra investment when it comes time to sell in a year or two.
What are your thoughts about a smaller iPad?
(The image comes from a Gizmodo article,
http://gizmodo.com/5924849/the-size...-compared-to-the-ipad-nexus-7-and-kindle-fire It appears that the original image comes from someone who posts as Trojan Kitten on Twitter.
http://twitter.yfrog.com/h36j2np )
helps a lot still try to leave %40 open if ya can 
