Rumours: Apple Inc.(NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad Mini may start at $329 in the U.S.

Here is some idea about what Apple Inc.(NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad Mini could cost you, as a consumer.

According to 9to5Mac "Apple’s entry price for its upcoming smaller iPad is between the base model of the new, fifth-generation iPod touch ($299) and the currently shipping WiFi-only 16GB iPad 2 ($399). According to our sources, the base model of the smaller iPad will likely be priced at a minimum of $329 in the United States."

That makes it still cheaper than its iPads, but still higher than the Google Nexus and Amazon's Kindle Fire.

As with all its devices the iPad Mini will be available in various configurations depending on storage capacities.

The ones with the higher capacities will be available only with WiFi and will be priced at a premium of $100 over each other at a minimum of $429 and $529.

"It is possible that this base price for the smaller iPad could be higher, but our best guess is $329," the report said.

Those which will work on cellular networks will be priced higher than the ones compatible with a WiFi network and according to the report "This comes out to likely minimum price points of $459, $559, and $659 for the WiFi + Cellular line."

So far as the iPad Mini is concerned, the key is the pricing since it is obviously meant to compete with rival product in the market.

As the report says, "This key starting price of $329 is considerably higher than the $199 entry level price of Google’s Nexus 7 and $159 price of Amazon’s Kindle Fire. However, with 250,000 iPad-optimized apps, large iTunes Music, TV Show, Podcast, and Movie collections, digital book reading and purchasing through iBooks, and Apple’s large, integrated ecosystem of other products and accessories, the premium will likely be worth the money for a lot of people this holiday season."