Samsung Ativ Book 9 (2015) review:

Before Apple even announced its slim, lightweight 12-inch MacBook, Samsung had already released a nearly identical product. First seen at CES 2015, the Samsung Ativ Book 9 matches the MacBook nearly spec for spec.

Both systems have 12-inch displays with better-than-HD resolutions, both use Intel's Core M processor, both have premium-feeling designs and are very slim and light, with each weighing just a hair over two pounds.

Side by side, they're very similar, so why does the MacBook have an edge in our head-to-head comparison? While Samsung is among the most forward-looking companies making Windows PCs (it practically invented the ultrabook concept with the original Series 9), this new 12-inch Book 9 falls short in a few key areas.View Full Gallery (11 Phot

The MacBook has longer battery life than the Samsung, and significantly so. The keyboard and touchpad on the Book 9 are good for such a small laptop, but not as good for long-form typing or for OS navigation as the MacBook versions are. Lastly, the Ativ Book 9, if configured with the same 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD as the MacBook, costs $100 more, at $1,399 (£1,399 in the UK, but not currently available in Australia). It's tough to sell a laptop that's very similar to a buzz-heavy new MacBook by saying it costs more and its battery doesn't last as long. However, a less-expensive version of the Book 9, with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, is less than the MacBook, at $1,199 (£1,199 in the UK).

One area where Samsung beats Apple is in ports and connections. While the new MacBook has the new USB-C connector, which is very forward-looking and will eventually be everywhere, it's the only port of any kind on that system (aside from a headphone jack). Samsung proves you can squeeze more into a similarly slim system by including two USB 3.0 ports and Micro-HDMI, alongside an audio jack and a proprietary power connection.

View Full Gallery (11 Photos)

Sarah Tew/CNET

Yes, the 12-inch MacBook is flashier and more fun to use. But, especially compared to other Windows 8 laptops, the Samsung Book 9 also has a very premium look and feel, is powerful enough for everyday online tasks, and has a keyboard and touchpad good enough for most typing and navigation needs. Neither system has a touchscreen, but that omission is more noticeable in the touch-centric world of Windows 8. If Samsung could boost the battery life, and at least match the MacBook spec-for-price, it would earn a stronger recommendation.

SAMSUNG ATIV BOOK 9 (2015)

Price as reviewed	$1,199
Display size/resolution	12-inch, 2,560, x 1,600 screen
PC CPU	1.1Ghz Intel Core M 5Y31
PC Memory	4GB DDR3 SDRAM 1600MHz
Graphics	2005MB Intel HD Graphics 5300
Storage	125GB SSD
Networking	802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.0
Operating system	Windows 8.1 (64-bit)