The big question is whether there's room for 7-inch models to coexist with the wildly popular (largely because of Apple's iPad) 10-inch class of tablets. The answer: Absolutely. But not for the obvious reasons.

Price, the primary driver of sales, is, of course, one inescapable factor. Clearly, a 7-inch tablet can sell for less than a 10-inch tablet, making the tablet more accessible to a wider range of users. But it's not only about price.

Functionality also will play a big role. The 7-inch tablet design is more portable than the larger, bulkier screens of 10-inch class tablets. In my experience, I've found 7-inch tablets easier to hold and less obtrusive when I'm using the tablet in a meeting or in a public environment. Even for casual use while on an airplane, I found I preferred the compact nature of the 7-inch to a 10-inch.

The obvious comparison here is that a 7-inch tablet is akin to a paperback book, while a 10-inch tablet is akin to a hardcover edition. Neither is "right" per se, but each will be used according to personal needs and preferences.