12.5 Hardware
A quantum computing system needs real quantum computing hardware. While simulators may be useful for learning, experimenting, and debugging small problems, the sooner you use actual hardware, the quicker you’ll take advantage of its potential. You are not doing quantum computing if you are solely using classical hardware.
- Are you sure your vendor is providing you access to real quantum hardware, or is it only a simulator?
- Is the quantum hardware general purpose (also known as universal), or is it designed to solve only one kind of problem?
- Can your quantum hardware be used to solve problems significantly better than classical technologies?
- Does the choice of qubit technology make a difference to you?
- What qubit technology is producing systems with the best Quantum Volumes?
An early IBM Q four qubit chip. Photo subject to use via the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2...
