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 A new ransom demand arrives in the Nancy Guthrie case. What we know about former Prince Andrew's arrest. Pal planned to expose Epstein in 2016. Then Epstein found out. Former Prince Andrew is arrested—on his birthday. Report an error