While some out there are likely dreading the oncoming approach of the holiday shopping season (in all its stressful glory), there's one part of the holiday shopping season that will be a bit unexpected and likely at least somewhat welcome.

Reports are moving, suggesting Google's (News - Alert) $99 Nexus tablet will be ready to hit shelves in time for the major shopping event, and with these reports come unexpected news about the tablet's actual makeup.

The reports suggest that, indeed, the Nexus tablet will be ready ahead of holiday shopping, which frankly doesn't have much longer to go, as some stores are already advertising Christmas shopping specials. And Black Friday (News - Alert) is just a little over five weeks out.

So when the product does come out, it’ll be offering some reasonably good quality features for a tablet that's so inexpensive.

The Nexus tablet, according to the newest reports, is in fact being designed by ASUS, as some had previously projected. The tablet itself will pack in a single-core ARM (News - Alert) processor, which in turn will be built by WonderMedia Technologies, as well as a HannStar Display display panel.

Quanta will then step in to handle the assembly duties.

This release schedule is actually fairly likely, as it allows the small Nexus tablet to readily compete with and pose a substantial threat to the long-rumored iPad Mini, expected to be unveiled on October 23. Apple's (News - Alert) miniature iPad was frequently suggested to be Apple's way to go after a market they had not been previously seen competing in, specifically, the lower-priced tablet market.

After the success of the Kindle Fire, several companies began following suit in the market, including the Google Nexus 7, and found some very encouraging results.

Apple is now poised to bring the iPad experience to a whole new segment of users, but will the vaunted Apple experience be able to hold out against a tablet so clearly geared to be a bargain?

It's going to be an interesting holiday shopping season for sure, with so many viable products emerging right around the same time – the Microsoft Surface tablet has also started its pre-order run – shoppers will see a lot of different choices. But with the economy still in less than prime condition, it remains to be seen just how far they'll be willing to take their shopping, and in which direction they're willing to take it.

The $99 Nexus tablet may well find plenty of buyers, and at those prices it's likely Google isn't risking much to get them in play in the first place.