Technology | Apple 'iPad Mini' Coming for Less Than $300 And to think, Microsoft's new tablets are right around the corner By Neal Colgrass Posted Apr 16, 2012 5:36 PM CDT Copied This undated image provided by the SPCALA shelter shows a "painting" produced by a cat using the iPad app, Paint for Cats Thursday April 12, 2012, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/SPCALA) Cue the agonizing groans at Microsoft: Apple is planning a new entry-level iPad for later this year designed to fend off the coming barrage of Windows 8 tablets, reports Fox Business. According to a Chinese-language news site, some 6 million "iPad minis" will come out in the third quarter at a rumored price of $249 to $299. With Apple rivals already trying to cut prices, some analysts say, their tablets may never recover in the marketplace. Read These Next It started with failure to say 'thank you,' ended with murder. Freak accident kills a woman as she cleans her car. Mike Johnson is taking heat over a Democrat's delayed swearing-in. It landed on the 4th try. There wasn't enough fuel for a 5th. Report an error