Apple Could Defeat the Kindle Fire 2, Nexus 7 with $249 iPad Mini

Apple AAPL has already become the overall leader of the tablet market. With an iPad Mini priced at $249, the company could trounce its competitors. That's according to IHS iSuppli analyst Rhoda Alexander, who told CNET that if Apple wants to "crush the opposition," it needs to release a lower-cost iPad. At $349, Alexander believes that the device would feature 4G LTE support. If Apple launches at a lower price, the iPad Mini might only support Wi-Fi. For better or worse, Alexander told CNET that the estimated $299 price point "would sit in a more comfortable place as far as a profit" is concerned. This does not mean that Apple will ship the device at that price, but it could be a sign where things are headed. With regard to Google's first tablet, the Nexus 7, Alexander said that the input she's getting from the supply side is that Google "has actually raised the quantity of orders being built this year." "We see it on the order of five to six million in 2012 or maybe even a little more than six million," she said. At that rate, it could be difficult for Amazon AMZN to maintain its stunning position in the tablet market. Follow me @LouisBedigianBZ