In 2015, when Apple launched the 12-inch MacBook, it instantly became a benchmark for ultra-light computers. But now it has gotten yet another competitor – Asus’s new ultraportable ZenBook 3, that’s lighter and  thinner than the MacBook, but more powerful and with a slightly large screen.

Key Specifications of ZenBook 3

• Display: 12.5-inch full-HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) [Apple MacBook has a 12-inch screen]
• Thickness: 11.9mm (0.47 inches)  [Apple MacBook is 0.52 inches tall]
• Weight: 910g  (2 pounds) [Apple weighs 2.03 pounds]
• 82% Screen-to-body Ratio
• USB: Type-C ( Just like Macbook)
• Price: Starting from $999
• Available in –  Royal Blue, Rose Gold and Quartz Grey

In its press release at Computex here in Taipei, Asus pointed out that despite its compactness, the ZenBook 3 still has a backlit keyboard with a 19.8mm key pitch, comparable to most desktop keyboards.

Other Specifications

The company said it managed to make the device this compact by using an extremely thin, 3mm fan, and an “aerospace-grade aluminum alloy” as material for the case.

ZenBook 3 can be had in a configuration that’ll cost $1,999 with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, up to a whopping 1TB SSD.

If that’s too much, you can also configure the device with an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for $999.

The base model is priced at $999 with 4GB RAM, an Intel Core i5 processor and 256GB of onboard storage.

If you’re not a fan of the shiny metal on your devices, then ZenBook 3 isn’t for you. But its shininess, especially the gold trim around the edges is quite attractive and stands out in a sea of more mute-coloured notebooks.

However, Asus has not yet revealed when the ZenBook 3 will be available.