Google's Chrome OS could be available to try in as little as a week's time if a rumor proves true. A promised early version is now said by TechCrunch to be arriving sometime next week. Few details are available, though it's presumed that a lack of broad driver support will limit it to certain computers or environments.

The platform has Linux roots but is based almost exclusively on web apps and uses the Chrome rendering engine for both online and offline software. Its full debut isn't due until later in 2010 through notebook manufacturers such as Acer, ASUS and Lenovo, but it's expected to both challenge Microsoft's lead in netbooks as well as lower the costs of the devices through inexpensive OS licenses.