Google launched the first consumer Chromebook in 2011. Since then, the operating system has become more versatile and there's significantly more choice in hardware. You can buy a budget system or break your wallet buying the Pixel.

Gizmag recently compared eight Chrome OS-equipped laptops, including the six listed below:

1.       HP Chromebook 11

2.       HP Chromebook 14

3.       Samsung Chromebook 2 11.6"

4.       Samsung Chromebook 2 13.3"

5.       Chromebook Pixel

6.       Acer C720/C720P

These six Chromebooks have been released and are available during the holiday season. We compare the six machines in the categories below.

Chromebook Size, Weight and Build

When it comes to size, most of the machines are similar with the thinnest being Google's Chromebook Pixel.

Most Chromebooks share a similar weight class. Acer's touchscreen C720P model is a bit heavier than the typical C720. The HP Chromebook 11 is the lightest. The HP Chromebook 14 is the heaviest with its much larger screen.

Though the Chromebooks have different finishes, five are made of plastic. The Pixel is made of premium brushed aluminum.

Chromebook Display size

The HP Chromebook 14 offers the largest screen with the 13.3-inch models a close second. Google's Chromebook Pixel has a 3:2 aspect ratio while all others listed have a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Chromebook Display Resolution

This is a very important category, according to Gizmag. A larger screen does not mean better resolution, as is the case with the HP Chromebook 14, which has the lowest pixel density due to having a 1366 x 768 resolution-the same as many of the 11.6-inch models. The 13.3-inch panel have so-so resolution.

The Samsung Chromebook 2 13.3 offers an impressive 166 pixels per inch, but the best resolution is with the Chromebook Pixel's 239 ppi.

Chromebook Software

All the machines operate on Google's Chrome OS platform. The Chrome browser is used, along with a good selection of apps found in the Chrome Web Store.

You cannot run standalone programs, which means you can never run complex apps like Adobe Photoshop on your Chromebook.

Nonetheless, the OS is the right choice if you spend lots of time on the Internet and use Google Docs instead of Office products.

Chromebook Touchscreen

There are only two Chromebooks with touchscreen: Acer's Chromebook C720P and the Chromebook Pixel.

Chromebook Ports, Media Card Slots and Disk Drive

All Chromebooks listed have two USB ports, and most (except the HP Chromebook 11 and the Pixel) offer one faster 3.0. Every machine offers media card slots and video-out (the HP Chromebook 11 requires an adapter).

None of the Chromebooks have a disk drive. There's no need to-all the laptops run on the cloud-centric Chrome OS.

Chromebook Colors

The HP Chromebook 14 comes in the most variety of colors. The white HP Chromebook 11 can be ordered with accent colors in yellow, green, blue or red, depending on region.

Chromebook Price

Most of the Chromebook models here are priced below $400. Many models can be purchased for around $300. Acer's C720 can be purchased for $199.99 while the C720P touchscreen model costs $279.99.

Google's Chromebook Pixel is the most expensive at $1,299.

If you can accept the limitations of Chrome OS, any of the Chromebooks listed are quality choices.