Google is set to make its entry into the operating system market earlier than expected, as the product is rumored to be available for download as of next week.

TechCrunch's Michael Arrington cites a reliable source who says an early version of Google's Chrome operating system will be released but it won't be able to used just yet.

The source goes on to say that it lacks support for basic hardware components like network interfaces and graphics cards. So you won't be able to download Chrome OS and run it on just any machine.

The bad news is that although Google said it has been working with Acer, Adobe, Asus, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Toshiba on its Chrome OS, apparently only a limited number of devices will support it initially.

The tech giant originally said that the netbooks that will use the operating system will only be made available for consumers in the second half of 2010.

Google has previously said they are working with Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Toshiba on the project.

Click here to view some potential screenshots for Google’s operating system.

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