A record for ASUS' laptop range, the UM30 measures just 19.6mm thick, and while there's nothing particularly special inside, we do happen to think it looks rather smart. You know, for an ASUS. Running on an Intel Core 2 Duo SU 9400 processor, there's 3GB DDR2 SDRAM and a 320GB HDD. Loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium, the LED-backlit TFT LCD screen is a portable 13.3-inches.

In addition to the lightweight, the UM30 sports an Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 (no clock speed reported by ASUS – Intel’s default speed for that chip is 2.5GHz), a 13″ display, 3GB of DDR2 RAM, a 320GB hard drive, and comes with Windows 7. Not bad for a ultra-thin computer.

Comparing it to its doppelgänger, the MacBook Air, the Core 2 Duo on the air is clocked slower at 1.86GHz, has less memory of a faster type at 2GB DDR3, and has a smaller default hard drive. For what its worth, the MacBook Air comes with Mac OS X and the famed Mac user experience.

The UM30 will hit Japan tomorrow for the price of 100,000 yen (roughly $1,105), which is about $400 cheaper than the MacBook Air, as well. With a similar design and a slightly faster processor, the MacBook Air might have found a challenger in the ultra-thin race.

A record for ASUS' laptop range, the UM30 measures just 19.6mm thick, and while there's nothing particularly special inside, we do happen to think it looks rather smart. You know, for an ASUS. Running on an Intel Core 2 Duo SU 9400 processor, there's 3GB DDR2 SDRAM and a 320GB HDD. Loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium, the LED-backlit TFT LCD screen is a portable 13.3-inches.