Building Quantum Computers vs Buying Quantum Computers
Quantum computing has become the buzzword across the tech industry, with its implications on a range of applications from cryptography to biomedical research. As the practicality and commercial viability of quantum computing continues to grow, enterprises and researchers are exploring the options of building or buying a quantum computer. So let's dig into the debate of Building vs Buying quantum computers.
Building a Quantum Computer
Building a quantum computer is by no means a small feat. It requires highly technical expertise, specialized facilities, and significant capital investment. The million-dollar question is, "How much does it cost to build a quantum computer?" On average, developing a single 50-qubit quantum processor includes equipment and operating expenses could cost up to $5 million, including hardware, software, and utilities costs, according to a report by Nature. If you go beyond this to build a fully-functional quantum computer, the price could skyrocket to $100 million or more.
Another important aspect to consider is the time and resources it takes to build a quantum computer. Research, development, and testing of a quantum computer could take up years, and there is no guarantee of success.
However, building a quantum computer gives you unique software and hardware. Quantum computers require specialized environments with extremely low temperatures and low noise environments. This specialized environment ensures quantum computers stay away from external or internal noise that could interfere with the qubits’ states, making them lose their data, a phenomenon called decoherence.
Buying a Quantum Computer
On the other hand, buying a quantum computer may be a quicker route than building one at a lesser initial cost. You can buy a quantum processor or computer form quantum computing companies like IBM, Google, Rigetti Computing, IonQ, or D-Wave Systems.
Purchasing a quantum computer may cost from $1 million to $10 million. However, the price of utilizing one by subscribing to cloud-based platforms could be as little as $10 per hour or less. Companies that offer cloud-based computing solutions include Amazon's Bracket, Microsoft's Azure Quantum, IBM's Quantum Experience, and Honeywell's IQ.
One of the benefits of buying a quantum computer is that you can have access to a wider range of computing power and speed compared to building one by yourself. You have access to quantum computers that operate on over 100 qubits or more. Also, the maintenance and operational costs are outsourced to the companies’ staff, relieving you of that burden.
Conclusion
Building and buying quantum computers have their advantages and disadvantages. However, it's safe to say that building a quantum computer mainly applies to those who need specific algorithms for a specific application, while buying is more suited for organizations aiming to progress their collective R&D capacities by experimenting with quantum technologies.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to investing in quantum computers. Whether to buy or to build depends on the resources and goals of organizations seeking to leverage quantum computing technologies.