Apple’s iPad 3 event is just around the corner.  In fact, most rumors have it that the big event will be March 7th.  So to get you ready for the big iPad 3 announcement, here’s 7 iPad 3 rumors to be looking for.  Your challenge is to see if these actually line up with what we hear on March 7th.

iPad 3 rumor #1:  A5X Chipset

As reported by MacRumors, the forum for Chinese website WeiPhone includes a post with a photo of the next-gen iPad’s logic board. The system-on-a-chip is labeled “A5X” and appears to have been produced in November 2011 [via PCMag].

iPad 3 rumor #2:  8-inch iPad

As has become the norm when the release of a new iPad model nears, rumors have begun circulating about Apple producing a smaller version of the tablet. This time, the Wall Street Journal has reported that Apple has shown some component suppliers designs for an 8″ screen [via TheNextWeb].

iPad 3 rumor #3:  Retina Display

There is absolutely no confirmation that the iPad 3 will have Retina Display, but AllThingsD is standing by reports that the iPad 3 will have 2048×1536 Retina Display – or something similar. Either way, expect sharper pictures with more vivid colors [via CBSNews].

iPad 3 rumor #4:  Quad-core Apple A6 processor

Apple’s iPad 3 will feature a quad-core A6 processor, according to a new posting from the Boy Genius Report blog.  Apple’s iPad 3 will feature a new A6 processor, according to a Feb. 1 posting on the Boy Genius Report blog [via eWeek].

iPad 3 rumor #5:  4G LTE Radio for Verizon and AT&T

According to the Wall Street Journal, which cites the usual “people familiar with the matter,” the hotly anticipated tablet will be sold with 4G versions that are capable of picking up LTE signals from one of the nation’s two top carriers [via Mashable].

iPad 3 rumor #6:  Better Front & Rear Cameras

iLounge editor-in-chief Jeremy Horwitz revealed new details from several sources about the iPad 3 today, suggesting that the next-gen iPad will feature a FaceTime HD camera on the front and an iPhone 4S-like camera on the back [via MacTrast].

iPad 3 rumor #7:  New Dock Connector

According to a story over on iMore, Apple is preparing to drop the traditional dock connector currently found on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod and replace it with a smaller ‘micro dock’ [via ZDnet].

So there you have it.  7 of the hottest rumors circulating around the iPad 3 announcement that’s expected on March 7th by Apple.

Now the thing to remember in all of this is that on March 7th, if that is in fact the date we are talking about, we may not even hear about an iPad 3 but instead an iPad 2s – now wouldn’t that be something?