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 The 8 Democrats who bucked party on shutdown have something in common. Here's where things stand in the House ahead of shutdown vote. Hormone therapy for menopause was unfairly demonized, says the FDA. Merchants could slap new surcharges on certain credit card purchases. Report an error