Nokia, the world’s biggest maker of mobile phones, is to enter the PC world with a Windows-based laptop.

Finnish Nokia announced Monday that the company will “bring its rich mobility heritage and knowledge to the PC world”.

The Nokia Booklet 3G, a Windows based mini-laptop, will be powered by a Intel Atom processor and deliver up to 12 hours of battery life. The company said the new laptop will enabling people to leave their power cable behind and still be connected.

"A growing number of people want the computing power of a PC with the full benefits of mobility," said Kai Oistamo, Nokia's Executive Vice President for Devices.

The news came soon after Microsoft and Nokia, in a challenge to Research in Motion's Blackberry, announced that Microsoft Office software will be available on smartphones made by the Finnish company.

The current global economic crisis has deterred many customers from buying new phones, while models such as Apple's iPhone and Research in Motion's Blackberry have stolen sales from the established telecom giants.

The 'Booklet 3G' will weigh just 1.25 kilos (2.8 pounds) and will measure just two centimetres (three quarters of an inch) wide, Nokia said. Further information, including detailed specifications, market availability and pricing, will be announced at Nokia World on September 2.

Last month Nokia revealed a 66.0-percent collapse in quarterly net profit to 380 million euros (535 million dollars) on falling handset sales and lower prices