Acer to Release Cheap $99 Iconia Tablets

Cheap Tablets = Happy Geeks

Finally, the real $99 tablet computers are here! According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, electronics makers Acer has plans to release a new Android-powered 7-inch device that costs just under a hundred bucks and could dramatically change the personal computing market in a short time.

The Iconia B1 tablet will compete as a lower cost alternative to the Amazon Kindle Fire and small Samsung Galaxy tablets, as well as the ultra popular Apple iPad. It will also most likely be in direct combat with a rumored $100 Asus tablet to be released in 2013.

Unfortunately the Acer device will only be available in "emerging markets" -- aka 3rd-world countries -- at least at first. But many experts expect demand to be strong enough in North America and Europe for the company to begin selling the cheap tablets in major markets as well. A lower-cost Windows 8-powered tablet is also rumored to be in the works at Acer.

We say: It's about time tablet prices dropped to the sub-$100 level! We predict that within 2 years everyone will be walking around with high-powered 50-dollar ad-supported tablets that do just about everything the typical content consumer needs.

Learn some mo': Acer readying $99 Android tablet for emerging markets