Tablets running Android started out as high end devices meant to compete with the Apple iPad. Most of them, scratch that, all of them failed miserably. Manufacturers then thought to themselves that if they can’t compete by making a product with the same specs as Apple’s tablet, they should try making something different, which lead to the development of 7 inch tablets.

Now not all 7 inch tablets are created equal. During my trip to South East Asia, I saw 7 inch tablets that had terrible screens and ridiculously slow processors, but they cost less than $75. On the opposite side of the spectrum, you have the Samsung Galaxy Tab family, the high end ASUS models, and various other products that cost over $300.

Acer, wanting to find a niche for themselves, set out to make the best 7 inch tablet they could make for $150, and thus the Iconia B1 was born. It has an OK screen, though it’s not terribly high resolution. It has an OK processor, but it’s not going to compete with the big boys. And the build quality is passable, but you wouldn’t call it great.

According to DigiTimes, Acer wanted to release a successor to the B1 towards the end of this year, otherwise known as the holiday shopping season. But due to the tremendous* reception of the B1, they’ve decided to accelerate their plans and launch a sequel in June.

Is that a good idea? We all know Google is going to announce a sequel to the Nexus 7 at I/O next month, but again, that device will likely fit in the $300 price category. Acer’s not targeting that market segment.

* = Acer shipped 1.8 million tables in 2012 and aims to ship 5+ million in 2013.