iPad Mini to Look More Like a Big iPod Touch? [Image]

As the expected unveiling of the iPad mini draws near, Daring Fireball's John Gruber shares his thoughts on the rumored device.

Earlier this month, Gizmodo posted images of an iPad mini mockup that resembled the larger iPad. Gruber suggests that although this design is plausible, the device will likely have a smaller bezel.

Now, I expect the iPad Mini will bear more resemblance to a full-size iPad than it will to an iPhone or iPod Touch. For one thing, it's closer in size to the iPad-as-we-know it, and for another, all credible reports (along with several of my own little birdies) point to the smaller iPad keeping the 4:3 display aspect ratio.

But if you shrink the device enough, and reduce the weight enough, would such a device still need a bezel surrounding the display of the same proportions as the iPad-as-we-know-it? Maybe not.

Taking his thoughts one step further, iMore has produced a mockup of an iPad mini that keeps a larger bezel at the top and bottom like an iPod touch but still has the 4:3 display ratio of the iPad.

Take a look at that image below. Apple is thought to be aiming for a November release of the iPad mini.