this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2023
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That’s not really something that’s on the horizon at all. There’s some experimental quantum computing stuff, but it’s not really practical for anything yet (and certainly not in a personal computer!) It’s also likely not going to be better at the stuff we use normal CPUs for. Eventually they might be useful for certain classes of problems, but probably in more of a coprocessor like capacity (kind of like a side unit like a GPU that’s good at certain tasks). Obviously it’s unknown what the future holds, but I don’t think quantum computing is going to replace silicon any time soon.
I think it'll take a new component/circuit design for quantum to be viable for home computing similar to the transformation that happened to computers after the addition of the transistor
As of yet, quantum computers need exotic cooling. Perhaps there will be some clever way around that, but it may not be solvable. That would keep it forever out of reach of common home or office use.
And digital computers needed tube relays and entire buildings to work. With innovation and time, it'll become more easily handled
Not if you're literally bumping against the laws of physics of the universe. There may be some things that will never come to pass, technologically. FTL travel might be one of them, for example.
Honestly the laws of physics are constantly in flux and there's no telling what we could create to circumvent the limits we're currently pushing.
As I mentioned in my example: before the innovations with transistors, there was no way to make a portable computer. It was physically impossible
You can't just assume any one thing will work out. There are plenty of dead ends in technology.
While true, it doesn't mean we should stop. At worst, we find techniques that improve other areas of technology
I'd love to see us figure out a way to cool quantum computers for the same price it costs to power conventional ones.
Imagine what such efficiency gains would mean for food preservation in poor nations.
I'm more expecting innovations to reduce the need for the super cooling but same