Microsoft hunts down Apple in iPad Mini market

Microsoft is producing a line of small Windows-powered devices, set to directly challenge Apple's iPad Mini and Amazon's Kindle Kindle Fire.

The software company revealed plans to investors and analysts during a conference call late last week, with Windows chief financial officer Peter Klein saying:

"[Microsoft is] now working closely with OEMs on a new suite of small touch devices powered by Windows.

"[These devices] will have competitive price points, partly enabled by our latest OEM offerings designed specifically for these smaller devices, and will be available in the coming months."

Microsoft have been rumoured to be working on an entrance strategy to the market, and it appears they have developed a device capable of competing with the might of the iPad Mini.

The news follows encouraging third quarter results from the company, stemmed by "bold bets" on cloud services.

With every Microsoft division posting profit, CEO Steve Ballmer remained confident the company's long-term plan of attack was the correct one.

“While there is still work to do, we are optimistic that the bets we’ve made on Windows devices position us well for the long-term," he said last week.

Microsoft's move into the smaller touch device industry comes at a time when PC sales are declining, with the software firm blamed in part for the slump.

But while Microsoft and Windows 8 cannot be blamed entirely for the demise of the PC, a switch in focus could be seen as a wise move for the tech old dog.

A shift away from PCs into smartphones, wearable devices and tablets signals a new era for Microsoft, but how will it cope?

Can Microsoft produce a product capable of competing with the iPad Mini? Tell us your thoughts below