Rumours about the new iPad Mini have fixed the date for its launch on October 23rd, which would put the miniature slab in stores in time for Christmas.

Mutterings had previously set the mini-tablet launch as sometime in October: and AllThingsD and Apple Insider are betting on 23rd October as the day. The other touted date - the 10th October - is clearly out of the running.

AllThingsD predict a "small intimate" event, as the launch will come hot on the heels of the bells and whistles Yerba Buena iPhone 5 launch.

The 7.85-inch iPad is expected to be cheaper than a full-fat fondleslab and give Apple a contender against the Amazon Kindle. ®

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