Asus has announced plans to lower the price barrier on its mini PCs next year.

In an announcement to coincide with the company's financial results, Asus president Jerry Shen revealed that the firm will offer an entry-level version of its Eee PC mini notebook for under $200 (£123).

Shen also stressed his desire to gain a 30 per cent share of the mini laptop market. Asus shipped 2.5 million units in the first half of 2008, and is on course to ship at least six million by the end of the year.

However, with nearly every laptop manufacturer entering the market, Asus will have to work hard to retain these significant sales.

As part of this plan, the firm will launch the cheaper Eee PC model, and phase out the 7in and 8.9in Eee PCs in favour of 10in products.

Although Asus kick-started the mini notebook market, the space has quickly filled out with releases from nearly all PC and laptop manufacturers including Dell and HP.