IPad mini looms, Microsoft Surface prices revealed [Video]

Tablets have been the talk of the day as old rivals Apple and Microsoft both made news Tuesday with their respective upcoming gadgets: the rumored iPad mini and the Surface tablet.

Most notably, Apple finally sent out the long-awaited invite for a media event next Tuesday at San Jose’s California Theatre. The event will start at 10 a.m. PDT, and there Apple is widely expected to announce the iPad mini, a tablet with a 7.85-inch screen.

The iPad mini is expected to be available in various models, with the lower-end starting somewhere in the $250 to $300 price range. The tablet is expected to have a coated aluminum backing as well as the new Apple Lightning dock connector. Additionally, the device is expected to have dual speakers, unlike the existing 9.7-inch iPad.

Photos: IPad mini tablet rumors [Photos]

Apple is also expected to announce a handful of new and updated computers at the iPad mini event. Reports say the Cupertino, Calif., tech giant will introduce a new 13-inch MacBook Pro laptop with Retina higher-resolution display, a new version of the tiny Mac mini computer, and an updated iMac desktop.

Meanwhile, Microsoft revealed the price of its upcoming Surface tablet, which is set to go on sale Oct. 26. The Redmond, Wash., company also began taking pre-orders.

The 10.6-inch Windows tablet will go for $499 for a 32 GB model. The price goes up to $599 if you want a keyboard, and up to $699 for a 64 GB model with the keyboard included.

The Surface will initially be available running Windows RT, which is a scaled down version of Windows 8 made for tablets. It will feature two HD cameras, a kickstand and ports for USB, microSD cards and HD video out.

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