With the very obvious consumer trend toward smaller tablets, Microsoft (MSFT 3.90%) has little choice but to release a smaller version of its Surface if it has any hopes of success. Apple (AAPL +0.15%) recently launched its iPad Mini in an admission that there is a market for smaller devices. Google's (GOOG 0.09%) Nexus 7 has a hot seller among Android enthusiasts, and Amazon.com (AMZN 0.11%) was easily the first company to see major success with its 7-inch Kindle Fire. Windows Blue, which may be officially dubbed Windows 8.1, will lay the groundwork for smaller Windows tablets.
In the video below, Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA, lays it out for investors.
