Samsung presents ultra-slim notebook

Announced ahead of the 2015 International CES, the new ATIV Book 9 combines a dazzling 12.2-inch display and an all-aluminum body construction with a 10-hour battery life.

Announced ahead of the 2015 International CES, the new ATIV Book 9 combines a dazzling 12.2-inch display and an all-aluminum body construction with a 10-hour battery life.

Samsung said in the lead up to this year's Consumer Electronics Show that tech journalists and consumers shouldn't expect any surprises from it at this year's event. However, the lightweight, premium notebook could well be a shock, especially for Apple.

Apple has been working for some time on a new 12-inch Retina display MacBook Air with a thinner, lighter design (thanks to having no internal fan) and the latest-generation Intel Broadwell chip on board.

But while Apple's latest ultraportable computer isn't expected to make an appearance until April, Samsung's notebook will be on display to the public when the International CES opens its doors to the public on January 6.

The new ATIV Book 9 has a 247ppi display. That's quadHD and a higher resolution than the display on Apple's current premium 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display.

The computer uses an Intel Broadwell chip so can run without an internal cooling fan, meaning the chassis is thinner and lighter -- only 11.8mm thick and the whole thing weighs just 950g.

As well as the latest-generation Intel processor, owners can also specify either 4GB or 8GB of RAM and a 128GB or 256GB SSD.

But rather than being simply a list of impressive specifications in notebook form, the computer has a few innovative features including a privacy mode which can hide any open or in-use applications simply by hitting a key -- great for working on the train or the plane for example -- and a doodle to unlock trackpad.

Trace a pattern across the track pad with a finger in lieu of a password -- like on many Android smartphones.

When it goes on sale later this year for $1199.99 ($1399.99 for the 8GB/258GB SSD version) it will come with Windows 8.1.