The internet is abuzz today with the news that Google plans to enter the netbook space with its own cloud-driven operating system. Chrome OS, as the product is being dubbed, will be pre-installed on a range of portable devices offering almost instant boot access to the web.

Unlike other low-powered Windows and Linux netbooks, Chrome OS will be almost entirely focused on bringing Google’s own range of cloud services to your computer. It’s built on the same Linux technology that has already proven itself an epic failure in the consumer space. But with Google-branding it could enjoy more success.

So who stands to lose most from this announcement, if this Chrome OS thing actually catches on? According to Windows Wally Paul Thurrott its Apple.

Thurrott writes: “Looking at this more broadly, there’s been precious little discussion so far about how this move will affect minority OS providers such as Apple and Linux. Google’s push into netbooks and PCs is obviously a concern for Microsoft but will likely have a bigger impact, in the beginning, on those systems.

“Apple’s struggles have come against exactly the kind of machines that Google wants to make: netbooks. If Google is successful with its Chrome OS, that success will likely impact the Mac as well.”

I’m not really sure what struggles Thurrott is referring to. Apple is still demonstrating decent sales growth in an industry that has seen overall sales fall off a cliff in a tough global recession. The humble netbook as it exists today has done nothing to hurt Apple.

Let’s remember Apple has paid almost no attention to the low-cost netbook space. Apple didn’t rush to reinvent an older version of Mac OS X that would run just OK on crappy hardware (something Microsoft precisely did with XP for example).  Apple builds tools for professionals and content producers who are happy to pay a premium for good looking products; tools that are built with powerful components, capable of running demanding applications like Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut and Aperture.

I doubt many of Apple customers are using their computers in such a way that they could comfortably switch to using a $500 netbook for any amount of time.

So how exactly will Apple’s “minority” slice of the computer industry be affected by this announcement? Apple has no interest in making tiny margins on cheap computers that deliver horrible user experiences. It is the opposite of everything they are about. It will have little or no impact on them.

Michael Gartenberg, an analyst for Interpret agrees: “This will have no impact on Apple whatsoever. People want to run applications, they want to run iTunes and Office.”

Another analyst shares those views.

“This doesn’t hurt Apple,” said Michael Silver, OS analyst at Gartner. “People looking at Macs are looking at a different overall experience than what Chrome OS will offer. Can I use iTunes on Chrome OS? Probably not.”

Microsoft has the most to lose given the desperate moves it made to be a player in this fad space. Microsoft has even developed Windows 7 intentionally to run well on these cheap netbook devices, and they expect to sell a massive number of licenses to OEMs.

I know many people who use their computers casually, almost solely for surfing the web, wasting time on Facebook and using email. Running Windows XP or Windows 7 is overkill for these people. Chrome OS could just fulfill their needs easily if it provides easy access to Google search, email and other popular online applications used. And if Chrome OS enables people to get online in seconds, not the many minutes it takes Windows to boot, it could become a very compelling alternative to the costlier Windows option.

Mr. Thurrott is simply wrong if he truly believes Apple has something to fear by Chrome OS.