There is a new chip technology
We need to find out more.
When will we see a PC with ond of these hybrid chips?
Microsoft is becoming more like IBM.
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As they cannot write a operating system without problems (design features) would you trust them to create the chipset ?
Will it run linux
Coming out of the stable of intel , amd, or apple ok …
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Designing hardware requires completely different skills than designing software.
So, different engineering team, with different mindset.
I started to dislike Windows, and turned away from it after Windows 7, and don’t trust Microsoft at all, I have to admit, that Microsoft keyboards and mice are superb, and Xbox with a kinect sensor is really a nice gadget, and surely the most fun computer game I ever played was Kinect Adventures… 
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I suspect they only design it, then contract out its manufacture. Chip manufacturing plants are very specialized and a huge investment.
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Microsoft design think I will wait a long while before investing given the history may only work with windows 13
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Hi @nevj and all, 
That´s a very interesting topic. 
I did some research on it (admittedly with the help of perplexity 
) in order to try to get some answers to some of the questions raised.
Results:
Based on the current state of Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip, it’s unlikely that we’ll see personal computers with these hybrid quantum chips in the near future. Here’s why:
- The Majorana 1 is still in the early stages of development, with only eight qubits currently on the chip14.
- The technology is primarily aimed at solving complex industrial and scientific problems, rather than consumer applications14.
- The chip requires extreme conditions to operate, such as temperatures close to absolute zero, which are not feasible for personal computers2.
- Microsoft’s current goal is to scale up to one million qubits for data center applications, not consumer devices3.
- The technology is not yet commercially available and is currently only used for evaluation, simulations, and developing future chips4.
While Microsoft claims this technology could lead to quantum computers capable of solving meaningful, industrial-scale problems in years rather than decades, it’s important to note that this refers to specialized applications, not personal computing1. The timeline for consumer-grade quantum or hybrid quantum-classical PCs is likely much further in the future, possibly decades away.
It’s also worth considering that the first applications of this technology will likely be in cloud computing services, such as Microsoft’s Azure Quantum platform, rather than in personal computers3. This would allow individuals and businesses to access quantum computing power without needing specialized hardware at home or in the office.
So it won´t be any time soon, at least according to the current state of information.
Results:
No, the Majorana 1 chip won’t run Linux or any traditional operating system. This quantum chip is designed for specialized quantum computing tasks, not for general-purpose computing13.
The Majorana 1 is a quantum processing unit (QPU) that operates on fundamentally different principles than classical computers. It uses topological qubits instead of traditional bits, and requires extreme conditions like near-absolute zero temperatures to function37.
Microsoft’s goal with this chip is to scale up to a million qubits for solving complex industrial and scientific problems, not to replace conventional computers or run traditional software17. The chip is intended for use in specialized quantum computing systems, likely accessed through cloud services like Azure Quantum, rather than as a component in personal computers48.
(Bold by me)
Hope it helps.
Many greetings from Rosika 
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So it is exactly what I need for matrix calculations, but I will never be able to have one.
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Hi Neville,
Yes, it seems like it.
Here´s an addendum to your comment, Neville.
There may be some repetitions in it:
Your friend is correct that the Majorana 1 chip is not something an ordinary computer user would be able to use, even in the long run. Here’s why:
- The Majorana 1 chip is designed for specialized quantum computing tasks, not for general-purpose computing like matrix calculations on a personal computer1.
- It requires extreme conditions to operate, such as temperatures close to absolute zero, which are not feasible in a home or office environment1.
- Microsoft’s goal is to scale up to one million qubits for solving complex industrial and scientific problems, not for consumer applications15.
- The chip is currently only deployed in collaboration with national laboratories and academic institutions for research purposes7.
- Quantum computers, including those based on the Majorana 1 chip, are likely to be accessed through cloud services rather than as personal devices4.
While quantum computing has potential applications in various fields, including optimization and research, it’s not intended to replace classical computers for everyday tasks4. Instead, quantum computers will likely complement classical systems, working on specific problems that are particularly well-suited to quantum algorithms.
For matrix calculations and other computational tasks that don’t require quantum capabilities, your friend would be better served by high-performance classical computers or cloud-based services that offer powerful computing resources. These are more accessible and practical for individual users and can handle a wide range of complex calculations efficiently.
(bold by me)
Many greetings from Rosika
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Hi Rosika,
It seems your GPT friend is correct, but there is this
which I mentioned in another thread.
If that gets to be affordable, using a gpu could be feasable for my problem.
Current GPU’s do not have enough memory.
Otherswise GPT is right… use a conventional cpu and lots of ram.
If I was still working, I could probably access a supercomputer.
I will watch and wait.
Regards
Neville
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Should they use AI technology in the design
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"Not sure how creating tons of unworkable designs and a few at random that work is “intelligent”, "
How long before we get AI designed CPU’s?
I dont want to be the first one to try and program them.
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When I started working in computing there was a programming tool called “the last one” it was to be the end of cobol and other languages, then came “the very last one” … neither exist today. Perhaps it will write its own.
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It would have to… can you imagine writing drivers for a CPU chip you do not understand?
Thats a bit like Linux trying to write drivers for an Nvidia GPU.
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I have never had to write a driver for any connection even file IO to a disk I just use whats available. As for grapics wouldbnot know where to start
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Hi Neville,
Actually I continued to follow the thread I initially created with perplexity.
Not sure whether the free model of ChatGPT would be up to the task.
In contrast to it perplexity scans the internet to process the most topical information.
Thanks for the link.
I´ll look into it.
Many greetings from Rosika
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It is a real progress ! Now it is not decades but years for useful quantum computers. Maybe 5 - 7 years…
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I wonder, are we sure that quantum computers is the best way forward?
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