The iPad Mini, the long-rumored downsized version of Apple's popular iPad, is reportedly set to hit stores early next month, on Nov. 2.

The official press invites have confirmed that Apple is hosting an event in San Jose on Tuesday, Oct. 23, and while the Cupertino giant has not released details regarding the event, it is widely expected to unveil the iPad Mini.

Meanwhile, a new report from TechCrunch states that Apple's new gadget will ship a week and a half after the Oct. 23 unveiling.

"November 2 is the ship date and we've heard today from a source close to Apple's supply chain, echoing an earlier report by Geeky Gadgets that that's the day the iPad mini will go on sale," TechCrunch wrote on Friday, Oct. 19.

Prior to TechCrunch's report, Geeky Gadgets pegged a Nov. 2 launch date for the iPad Mini, citing a prominent UK retailer as the source of its information. Retailers have long been a source of Apple-related product leaks, and even with the new iPhone 5 the Sept. 21 availability date was leaked ahead of time by carrier partners. According to TechCrunch, its source has proven reliable in the past when it comes to unreleased Apple information.

Moreover, Apple-centric Web site 9to5Mac has also tweeted that it heard the same Nov. 2 date as the day the iPad Mini would actually launch and hit the first batch of pre-order buyers.

A Nov. 2 availability date also falls in line with Apple's recent product announcements and release timelines. The Cupertino giant announced the new iPhone 5 on Sept. 12, and put the device up for pre-order on Sept. 14. The next-generation smartphone started shipping and hitting retail stores soon after, on Sept. 21. Meanwhile, pre-orders for the latest iPad started immediately after Apple announced the new tablet, and the iPad actually shipped nine days later.

It remains unclear at this point, however, whether the iPad Mini's pre-order date will be the same as the announcement, or the following Friday. TechCrunch reports that its source "had no information in that area."

Pushing the iPad Mini availability soon after the announcement would also allow Apple to take full advantage of the lucrative holiday shopping season, when it traditionally enjoys great success.

Apple sold 15.43 million iPads last year during the holiday quarter, compared to 7.33 million units sold in the same period the previous year. The company also hit an impressive 17 million unit during the quarter ending on June 30 this year, which could pave the way for a record-breaking quarter this holiday season if the iPad Mini appeals to consumers.