The ASUS MeMO Pad ME172V is a low-cost 7-inch Android tablet rocking Android Jelly Bean, and it just went on sale in the U.S. for $149.99.

The slate went on sale in developing markets earlier this year, and it has now hit U.S. store shelves. The ASUS MeMO Pad goes on to challenge the popular Nexus 7 tablet, and it costs $50 less than Google's offering. Moreover, the ASUS tablet has one thing the Nexus 7 lacks: a micro SD card slot for additional memory. While that may not sound like much, having the option to expand the device's onboard memory is a huge plus for many, and often a determining factor in the purchase.

On the other hand, those who don't necessarily need additional storage will find the Google Nexus 7 tablet is better in each and every way. It packs a faster processor, boasts a higher resolution display and, being a Google device, it has more up-to-date software.

The ASUS MeMO Pad Me172V, meanwhile, sports a 7-inch display with a 1024 x 600 pixel resolution, a single-core VIA WM8950 processor clocked at 1GHz, Mali 400 graphics, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and the aforementioned micro SD card slot for additional memory, and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. The tablet runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

In terms of weight and dimensions, the ASUS tablet weighs in at 13 ounces and measures 7.7 x 4.6 x 0.4 inches. The slate comes in gray, white or pink color options.

While the ASUS MeMO Pad ME172V doesn't boast any high-end specs or features and it's definitely inferior to the Google Nexus 7 tablet, it does sport an appealing price tag. For an entry-level slate sporting a $149.99 price tag, its specs are quite decent, which means the more budget-conscious may be drawn to this offering.

The tablet comes in 8GB and 16GB configurations, but the 8GB models are not available in the U.S., at least not for now. Amazon, GameStop and other stores are selling the 16GB model for $149.99.

ASUS is also celebrating the launch of its tablet in North America by giving away a few units to some lucky winners. Check out the ASUS Campus Life website for more information and details on how to enter the competition to win an ASUS MeMO Pad Me172V tablet. The contest is available only for the U.S. and Canada.