SaviorX -

The issue with quantum computing is that it works much differently than standard computers, and can do calculations in totally different ways than regular super computers work.

The advantage of quantum computing is that it could solve encryption codes infinitely quicker than current computing. Also, it (I believe) it could solve database queries infinitely quicker, as you could input algorithms as opposed to simple lookups.

They've actually gotten it to work? Holy fucking shit, never thought this would happen.

Technology is going to be insane 100 years from now.

So basically, it rewrites the fundamental laws that our comtemporary computers work with, to make them better, but we'll have to develop them from the ground up all over again - but once we do, because the system is much better at its core (qubits beat bits) when we do, they'll be much faster?

K. Sounds cool.

As I understand it, quantum computers can't actually replace conventional computers. There are certain problems you're going to want an old-fashioned computer to solve, and there are other ones you'll want a quantum computer to solve.

Think of it kind of like a GPU. It's extremely good at calculating a specialized set of problems related to 3D imaging, but it's not very good at general computations. The PC of the future might have a quantum processing unit, but it will probably still come with a CPU at the heart of things.

Part of the important research on quantum computers will be figuring out exactly what kinds of applications it's well-suited for.

Correct (from my understanding).

Quantum computers can solve problems that traditional computers take forever to do, such as finding the prime number of two, 300-digit primes. On a traditional supercomputer, such a solution may take days. For a quantum computer, it would take seconds. Who knows, Pi may be solvable by a quantum computer.

The real 'big' thing for quantum computing would be solving encryption codes. Solving such codes involves brute force - testing millions, billions or trillions of solutions before finding the right one. Quantum computing doesn't rely on such systems (as all answers are instantly available via quantum mechanics, only an algoritm needs applied), so such a solution may be solved rather easily.

Those are the advantages of quantum computing. I would assume, though, that we would eventually see special quantum cores added to PCs to solve quantum-based tasks much in the way of how we've added GPUs and other co-processors to PCs. Such a system may help in solving tasks that require brute force (again, such as finding a solution to a problem that involves doing the same process millions of times to find the answer).

The most important thing is that quantum computing is here, and can now be worked on and improved to become an everyday technology.

Hm, interesting. Well, you learn something every day I guess. What really intrigues me is something that can replace the system conventional computers run on. It must be possible, otherwise one day traditional computing power will hit its limits.

We have a countdown until everyday computer incorporation/implementation?

25, 50 years?

SaviorX -

Less than 25. I'd put it at 15-20.

Some reading on quantum computing timelines:

http://synaptic-labs.com/ecosystem/context-qc-relevant-today.html
As per their 2008 estimate, business-level quantum computing is about 10 years away.

After the business-class solutions, it's just a matter of 5-10 years for PC co processors. Most computer development has been like that - you'll see a business-level solution for $10,000 then in 5 years, the public market will have it for about $1k or so (I remember HDDs were that way).