Purported fifth-gen iPad cases reveal new iPad mini-inspired design

A number of reports have suggested that Apple (AAPL) plans to redesign its fifth-generation iPad to resemble the smaller iPad mini. Purported images of the next-generation tablet surfaced last month that seemingly confirmed the company’s plans, and now additional images of iPad 5 cases were discovered on Chinese e-commerce site Alibaba that further support rumors of the tablet’s upcoming redesign. Third-party case makers sometimes have reliable supply chain sources that feed them information and allow them to get a jump on the competition with cases for unreleased and unannounced products. While this is no guarantee that the designs pictured are accurate, it’s one more piece of a puzzle that points to a major overhaul for the fifth-generation iPad. Images of  the cases follow below.