Wall Street Journal: Apple Has Begun Mass Production of the iPad Mini

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has started mass production of the iPad mini.

Apple Inc.'s Asian component suppliers have started mass production of a new tablet computer smaller than the current iPad, people with knowledge of the situation said, as the Silicon Valley company tries to stay competitive against rivals such as Google Inc. GOOG -0.63% and Amazon.com Inc. AMZN -0.56% that are offering smaller, less-expensive alternatives to the iPad.

The Wall Street Journal cites two sources who also confirm that the iPad mini will use a 7.85" screen with a lower screen resolution than the 3rd Generation iPad. The iPad Mini has been previously rumored to have a 1024x768 pixel display.

ipadmini4 small
Mockup of 7.85-inch "iPad mini" next to full-size iPad.

The report comes just after a similar claim from Japanese site Mac Otakara, who specified that the iPad mini had begun production in Foxconn's factories in Brazil. The Wall Street Journal's report seems to provide additional confirmation. Recent reports have suggested that the iPad Mini media event will take place in October.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Neutral)
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Top Rated Comments

needfx Avatar
172 months ago
Apple will be tripling down on secrecy next year, since just doubling failed miserably
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
joelhinch Avatar
172 months ago
iPad, iPad, iPad, iPad, iPad, iPhone, iPhone, iPad, iPad.

Where are the MAC rumours????????????
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
konradphoto Avatar
172 months ago
iPad, iPad, iPad, iPad, iPad, iPhone, iPhone, iPad, iPad.

Where are the MAC rumours????????????

Exactly! the lack of iMac rumors (in comparable numbers to iPad mini and what we saw with iPhone 5) really worries me
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PDFierro Avatar
172 months ago
I really find it hilarious that there are still people saying this isn't going to happen.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arn Avatar
172 months ago
Does WSJ have a good track record for predictions?

yes, they generally do.

arn
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JamonBull Avatar
172 months ago
No retina? No purchase.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)