Speculation has been mounting for some time that Apple is due to be releasing its first tablet computer in the coming months. Last week the Financial Times said that the device may be announced as early as next month. Today, Mashable tipped us off to a story in Barron's which quotes an analyst who claims to have seen the device "first hand."

Barron's does not name the analyst, who claims that he has seen a prototype of the device. He doesn't give any details about the device's specs, but comments on the device's playback of high-def video and how it is close to a final design in Asia.

Like FT, Barron's mentions the tablet "could be announced in September for a release in November." They speculate the price to be around $699 to $799.

At this point we'd be shocked if they DIDN'T announce a tablet computer before Christmas.