LG has pulled back from its laptop and netbook strategy in light of the changes in the economy and consumer demand.

The manufacturer intends to build on its mass market QWERTY keyboard handsets and touch-screen devices.

Both formats have taken the smartphone market by storm, and LG has so far enjoyed strong sales with its mass market touch-screen phone, the Cookie, which sold for £100 on prepay or for free on £10 per month contracts.

LG has also been selling large volumes of the KS360 QWERTY keyboard handset, which is available for £90 on prepay.

The manufacturer is expected to release devices later in 2009 that will either increase in terms of design (thinner), have better camera quality and memory, or will be more basic, to meet even lower prices. LG will produce the devices in various colours.

LG’s handsets have been particularly popular with retailers such as Carphone Warehouse, Tesco and Argos.

The size of the laptop and netbook market is believed to be smaller than had originally been anticipated. LG is likely to return to a full netbook strategy in 2010.