Amid the frenzy that forthcoming next-generation iPhone has generated of late on the Web, new speculations are also making rounds about the likely design of the small-sized and compact iPad Mini --- Apple's much-rumored 7.85-inch tablet, which will be thinner as well as lighter than the full-size iPad.

In a mockup which the Apple-centric blog 9to5Mac posted earlier this week about the likely look of the iPad Mini, it was suggested that the small-screen iPad will be quite similar in appearance to the iPod Touch. In fact, it is being speculated that the device will largely look like a "big iPod Touch," boasting a notably thinner border at the edges as compared to the 9.7-inch iPad.

In addition, according to the 9to5Mac post, citing unidentified `inside' sources, the iPad Mini will also have small bezels along the portrait sides of the tablet; and will have two separate volume buttons rather than the tandem "rocker" design featuring on the existing iPad.

Another interesting iPad Mini mockup, designed by iMore, suggests that while the smaller tablet from Apple will have the same 7.2mm depth as the presently-available iPod Touch, it will be significantly thinner is measurements vis-a-vis the 9.7-inch new iPad.

However, countering the suggestion that the iPad Mini will resemble the iPod Touch, John Gruber - of the Daring Fireball blog - said in fairly detailed piece about the small-sized iPad: "I expect the iPad Mini will bear more resemblance to a full-size iPad than it will to an iPhone or iPod Touch."