When will Apple Silicon use Quantum Computing tech?

[Adarna]

Classical computing is limited to technology node shrinks.

Based on my limited understanding on quantum computing this would be the likely successor by 2030s, 2040s & 2050s?

 

[cmaier]

Classical computing is limited to technology node shrinks.

Based on my limited understanding on quantum computing this would be the likely successor by 2030s, 2040s & 2050s?

Quantum computing is only useful for certain types of problems, so it is not a replacement for “classical computing.”

Also classical computing is not limited to technology node shrinks. You can change the material properties of the semiconductor to bend the energy bands and muck with the mobility. You can switch to other semiconductors. You can change the type of transistor you use. You can change the materials used for on-chip interconnect. You can replace the on-chip dielectric with dielectrics that have lower K-values, such as polyimides, etc. You can change on-chip route technologies (e.g. abandon manhattan routing.). You can stack transistors in 3 dimensions.

Many many things can be done.

 

[Boil]

...stack transistors in 3 dimensions.

Pfff... No fourth dimension transistor stacking...

 

[throAU]

Classical computing is limited to technology node shrinks.

Based on my limited understanding on quantum computing this would be the likely successor by 2030s, 2040s & 2050s?

Quantum computing for desktops or laptops is (at a safe, even optimistic guess) at least 2 decades off.

It barely works in supercooled, room size supercomputers today. Also as above it is not a general purpose solution for all things.

Classical computing is not going anywhere.

 

[Adarna]

Quantum computing for desktops or laptops is (at a safe, even optimistic guess) at least 2 decades off.

It barely works in supercooled, room size supercomputers today. Also as above it is not a general purpose solution for all things.

Classical computing is not going anywhere.

So I could expect the 2nd succeeding Mac I'll be getting to be a quantum computer?

Its so weird to replace laptops/desktops every 120 months!

 

[throAU]

So I could expect the 2nd succeeding Mac I'll be getting to be a quantum computer?

No, I'd say that it will likely be a very long time, and right now quantum computing is at the stage ENIAC was for classical computing. i.e., room-scale, massively power hungry, requires special environmental conditions and nowhere near consumer availability - at any cost.

ENIAC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Adarna]

No, I'd say that it will likely be a very long time, and right now quantum computing is at the stage ENIAC was for classical computing. i.e., room-scale, massively power hungry, requires special environmental conditions and nowhere near consumer availability - at any cost.

ENIAC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

But I replace my Macs after 120 months.

 

[leman]

But I replace my Macs after 120 months.

That's very... optimistic of you. I mean, it if actually lives this long and you are ok with using an old computer like that, why not?

Bt as @cmaier points out, quantum computing does not replace classical computing. Just like spaceships don't replace a bicycle. There are many directions in which classical computers can evolve, so I wouldn't be too worried about lack of progress in the coming decades.

 

[metapunk2077fail]

Quantum computing doesn't apply to regular computer use and will likely only be a cloud computing resource for data analysis.

The danger is that authoritarian regimes and theocrats will use it to analyse, predict and manipulate human behaviour patterns to oppress populations. Think Facebook/Twitter/Cambridge Analytica but a million times worse.

To avoid that scenario we need the best privacy laws implemented right now and those laws should be set in stone forever. Any company or official trying to erode such privacy should be sanctioned and have maximum penalties applied.

All our data needs to be held in user controlled silos and we should always have the ability to delete all traces of our digital footprint online.

I would also encourage people to fake their digital footprint wherever possible. Surf a few topics that you have no interest in. Put fake birthdays wherever you can get away with it. If you are forced to publish your religious or political views say you are a Pastafarian who votes for the Monty Python party. And never publish your data or spending habits on something immutable like blockchains.

 

[throAU]

But I replace my Macs after 120 months.

Yeah and I said AT LEAST 2 decades off (as in, more than likely, a lot longer).

More likely, 4, at least (if ever). Quantum computing even if it could be applied to general computing (and so far, that's a no, but who knows) is like Nuclear Fusion. Way off.

So to expect to get a quantum Mac in 2 decades is being.... very optimistic.

 

[EmotionalSnow]

At best there will a quantum co-processor that can handle tasks that would be suited for quantum computing. But as others have said: at the moment we do not know whether something like that will ever be possible. Consider that current quantum computers need to be cooled to near 0° K, are very large, have low performance, need a large cooling system, etc.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

While we're at it, let's discuss our thoughts on the flux capacitor?

 

[Adarna]

While we're at it, let's discuss our thoughts on the flux capacitor?

I want one for the 1980s. So I can prevent so much ****ery in both sides of my family

 

[Adarna]

That's very... optimistic of you. I mean, it if actually lives this long and you are ok with using an old computer like that, why not?

Bt as @cmaier points out, quantum computing does not replace classical computing. Just like spaceships don't replace a bicycle. There are many directions in which classical computers can evolve, so I wouldn't be too worried about lack of progress in the coming decades.

Use case hasnt changed in 520 weeks. I need to switch because of Security Updates ending

 

[Mr. Awesome]

No, I'd say that it will likely be a very long time, and right now quantum computing is at the stage ENIAC was for classical computing. i.e., room-scale, massively power hungry, requires special environmental conditions and nowhere near consumer availability - at any cost.

ENIAC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

If quantum computing does eventually become feasible for consumer products, though, it’ll be super cool looking back on these room-sized quantum computers, just like looking back on vacuum tube computers today.

 

[cmaier]

If quantum computing does eventually become feasible for consumer products, though, it’ll be super cool looking back on these room-sized quantum computers, just like looking back on vacuum tube computers today.

Unfortunately physics is not our friend this time.

 

[jdb8167]

it’ll be super cool

I see what you did there.

 

[uller6]

No, I'd say that it will likely be a very long time, and right now quantum computing is at the stage ENIAC was for classical computing. i.e., room-scale, massively power hungry, requires special environmental conditions and nowhere near consumer availability - at any cost.

ENIAC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I would argue that quantum computers in 2021 are quite a bit behind the level of technology of ENIAC.

 

[throAU]

I would argue that quantum computers in 2021 are quite a bit behind the level of technology of ENIAC.

Well, yeah I guess that's true, ENIAC actually had a legitimate real world application.

 

[JouniS]

Well, yeah I guess that's true, ENIAC actually had a legitimate real world application.

There were also useful digital computers before ENIAC. The Colossus is probably the best known model. Quantum computers are currently where digital computers were in the mid-1930s: people have plans for useful models, but nobody has managed to build one yet.

 

[You’re not me]

I think that the use of Graphene as a conductor would pre-date(and speed up “classic” computing) any form of quantum computing in consumer devices.

 

[cmaier]

I think that the use of Graphene as a conductor would pre-date(and speed up “classic” computing) any form of quantum computing in consumer devices.

Seems likely, but before that you‘d go to SiGe, GaAs/AlGaAs, InP, etc.