Another mini iPad mockup, pictured next to a 15-inch MacBook Pro

There has been an unusual shortage of rumors about a mini iPad, especially given a recent reliable assertion calling for an October launch. Macotakara, a Japanese blog with a fairly accurate track record, has gotten hold of another mockup of the iPad mini, molded according to the rumor-mill and pictured sitting next to a 15-inch MacBook Pro, giving us a feel of its size relative to Apple’s notebook…

As you can see in the above shot, the 7.85-inch mini iPad could be nearly as tall as the MacBook’s 15-inch display. According to the report, these mockups can be bought in Asia for around $13 a piece.

Here’s another mockup.

Note that what you’re seeing in these shots is just a not-so-elaborate dummy rather than the real part.

Macotakara (via MacRumors) also has this video up.

AllThingsD, a Wall Street Journal blog, reported back in August that Apple was looking to launch a smaller, inexpensive iPad at a media event in October.

Previously published video, photo and interactive 3D model showed us the skinnier bezels, presumably making the iPad mini more comfortably to hold in one’s hand.

AllThingsD has accurate sources and in the past correctly predicted Apple’s media events. With October nearly upon us, the lack of a press invitation suggests that Cupertino could hold the event late-October.

It is also possible that Apple’s pushed back iPad mini launch due to supply chain issues.

Do you still think an October launch is a possibility?

By the way, that doesn’t look like a 4:3 form factor to me…