With Google, Apple, and Microsoft all widely rumored to be releasing new, similar tablet devices in the coming weeks, price may be the deciding factor for many consumers when buying. If that is indeed the case, Microsoft may be in trouble. Apple may be planning to sell the 8GB entry-level model of its new "iPad Mini" for $322, undercutting the starting price for Microsoft's Surface tablet by more than $100.

Google, Samsung Nexus 10 Features Best Tablet Display Available 

According to MobileGeeks, prices for the iPad Mini will start at 249 euros ($322) for a Wi-Fi-only 8GB iPad Mini, with other memory configurations of 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB also available. The high-end 64GB cellular version is listed at about $650, possibly because it has 4G LTE capability.

While we always caution putting too much faith in leaked photos or specs of products until they're confirmed by the company making the device, MobileGeeks is a fairly reliable source for this sort of information. Most recently the site leaked a report that confirmed the eixstence of Samsung's Galaxy SIII Mini smartphone ahead of its debut in Frankfurt, Germany. 

Of course, Microsoft still has a few trump cards up its sleeve. The entry-level model of the surface is 32GB, and the screen is 10.1-inches, dwarfing the iPad Mini's purported 7.85-inch screen and storage capacity.

However, the advantages certainly blur when comparing Microsoft's price point to Apple's iPad, which starts out at 16GB. And considering Windows RT takes up approximately 12 GB, leaving only 20GB free, while Apple's iOS only takes up 1GB, and leaves 15GB free, the Surface's lead dwindles even further.  

"I was hoping for $399," said Carolina Milanesi, an analyst with Gartner. "They believe the Office suite is enough to justify that premium [of $499 and up], but they're late to the party. From the consumer standpoint, Office is not what will make you get a Surface RT."

"[The Surface RT] is not a PC," said Milanesi, "or a PC replacement. So from consumers' perspectives, they will look at it and say, 'This is a tablet. What I know about tablets is that I know about the iPad.' So it may come down to a 'religious' perspective, with those considering the Surface RT people who would never buy an Apple product."

Which is a small market, she emphasized. "This is a very high-end position for someone coming late to the tablet party," Milanesi said. "The hardware is really good, but from a price perspective, they would have had a much bigger impact at $399."

24 versions of the iPad Mini?

The iPad Mini will reportedly ship with four storage options and three connectivity choices, AppleInsider reports. Add that to the white and black models that Apple will ship, and customers will be able to choose from 24 different versions of the company's tablet.

According to AppleInsider, the stock-keeping units, or SKUs, are currently being described as P101, P103, P105, and P107. Within those, Apple assigns ratings of "good," "better," and "best." AppleInsider believes that the four SKUs indicate storage options ranging from 8GB to 64GB. The Apple news site also claims that the rankings describe Wi-Fi-only, 3G, and 4G LTE models.

Apple sent out invitations Oct. 16 for an event Oct. 23 in San Jose, California, likely to unveil the smaller version of its hugely successful iPad.

According to CNET, Apple sent e-mails to members of the press Oct. 16 that in traditional cryptic Apple-speak read, "We've got a little more to show you. Please join us for an invitation-only event at the California Theatre in San Jose on October 23 at 10:00 a.m."

Apple isn't offering many hints as to what the event could be. The invitation isn't nearly as suggestive of the iPad Mini's unveiling as last month's wording was in teasing the iPhone 5. But with hype for the device at all-time high, really, what else could the event be for? At the very least, the word "little" in Apple's invite might still be a sly nudge that we'll be seeing the iPad Mini.

Various sources are reporting Apple will soon introduce a 7.85-inch tablet, a smaller version of its nearly 10-inch iPad.

Apple, of course, hasn't commented on one word of speculation and rumor floating around.

iPad Mini specs

7.8 inch screen with 1,024 x 768 resolution. The resolution will probably not be retina display, but it is possible it would have the same ppi as found on the iPad 2. The tablet would be able to handle all the apps. The design will stick to the same aesthetics of the iPhone 5 with an anodized aluminum back plate rather than a plastic build.

It will have two cameras, one front facing, for FaceTime or other video chat applications, and another, higher resolution rear-facing camera on the back. Sports a lightning port connector, like the iPhone 5. Likely an A6 processor, although, some sites are suggesting it may be an A5 like the iPad 2.