Media were sent invitations to a ‘small gathering’ on May 20th.

Microsoft appears to be gearing up to release a new, smaller version of its Windows-powered Surface tablet later this month.

The media were yesterday asked by the company "Join us for a small gathering" at 11am ET on May 20th, presided over by new Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

Microsoft first introduced its Surface tablets in October 2012, with the second generation Surface 2 following a year later. The devices were Microsoft’s attempt to take on Apple in the ever-growing tablet device market, and a smaller form version of its tablet, currently available in a 10.6inch screen, would help Microsoft keep track with Apple’s iPad Mini.

Details regarding the new device are still scarce; however last month several sources claimed a Surface Mini would offer a 7.5inch display running at a 1440×1080 resolution. Other rumours state that the device will be powered by an ARM processor running Windows RT.

The device will also be marketed as a note-taking device similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Note phablets (halfway between a phone and at tablet), offering support for stylus devices with a screen specially designed for writing on.

Microsoft has not commented on this latest rumour, but the creator of the original Surface device, Panos Panay, told The Verge last year that: "We have a lot of great things that we are thinking about and working on, and there are multiple aspect ratios and sizes and awesome things to come from Surface."