The tablet trend at the moment is dictated by the 7.9-inch iPad Mini yet Apple appears bent on releasing a version bigger than the original 9.7-inch iPad, purportedly to finally neutralise the competition.

When the tech giant unveiled its 64-bit A7 CPU via the iPhone 5S, the possibilities for Apple automatically widened and one window that swung open is the iPad maker working on a convertible - a device that functions both as a tablet and conventional computer.

With the breakthrough, Apple is now in a good position to introduce a product that could finally write finish to the life-cycle of traditional computing, even endangering the so-called hybrid laptops that double as notebook and standalone slate, Barclays Equity Research said in a new note.

Of particular target by this move is the Surface tablet that Microsoft has introduced in late 2012. The Windows 8-powered tablet, however, failed to inspire consumers' interest, resulting to hundreds of millions of write offs to its creator.

And it is likely that the 13-inch iPad will deliver the juggernaut, CNET said on its report.

According to Barclay, the planned device should be powerful enough, ably backed by the new 64-bit computing standard, and equipped with a battery pack with energy juice reserve that will longer than its nearest rival.

It is expected too that the giant iPad is designed with a Smart Cover that also serves as its keyboard and trackpad when so desired by users.

And the best part, the sticker price is deemed to be reasonable, likely ranging from $600 to $800, the same CNET report said.

"We believe a larger screened iPad would be a much better PC replacement than current tablets, including the Surface, and really be able to take on higher end tasks and start another wave of notebook cannibalization," the Barclays report was quoted by CNET as saying.

However, a 13-inch iPad could also spell the gradual exit for the regular Macs, with the report explaining that "whole iOS app ecosystem, extra-long battery life, ultraportability and user familiarity could be more compelling than a Mac if Apple made a true effort."

Analysts have been projecting that phablet-size smartphones and small tablets are slowly crowding out the normal gadgets that consumers used to toy with. They serve the purpose of providing entertainment and productivity with the bonus of portability, hence their growing dominance.

As a result, the traditional PC computing tools are nearing extinction. In a way, Apple is preparing for the inevitable and is dangling a very attractive alternative, experts said.

The new projection is in line with earlier report that Apple is experimenting with bigger size iOS tablets, supposedly to come out with cutting-edge PC alternatives, which is a venture that Samsung appears to be dabbling with.

The South Korean tech giant is recently reported to be working on large-screen Galaxy Tabs and Galaxy Notes with dual-boot capabilities that load the Android and Windows mobile operating systems.