Though some of the early users of the Apple iPad are all praise for the tablet computer because of its 9.7-inch screen appears just perfect for digital media consumption on the device, analyst Mingchi Kuo of DigiTimes Research has reported that Apple is likely to launch a 5- to 7-inch version of the iPad the 2011 first quarter.

It is essentially the large screen, together with its touch-screen interface and motion sensors, which makes the iPad experience enjoyable for different activities like – browsing the Web, reading an e-book, checking e-mails or watching a video.

Though other devices may also boast such features, the iPad’s big screen does away with the constant squinting at the smaller screens and the frequent zoom in on Web pages – it also makes the iPad an engrossing gaming device.

However, according to Mingchi Kuo, Apple is probably planning to come up with a small-screen version of the iPad to target those consumers who chiefly focus on reading and hardly do much of text inputting. Furthermore, the small-screen iPad will be apparently more economical, with its $400 price-tag.

Nonetheless, the pertinent question is whether the consumers will actually go in for an iPad with a 5-inch screen – would it be not more practical on their part to buy iPod Touch instead, which, all said and done, is essentially an iPad Mini!