The feasibility of a commercial quantum computer was discussed in a prior blog. It was also mentioned that an internet quantum computer service is feasible. While companies like D-Wave in Canada is a commercial quantum computer company, their customers typically ask for build-to-order machines. Several companies, such as Microsoft, Intel, and IBM have internet-based quantum computers that users can experiment; using their own programs. In the long run, these service-oriented quantum-computing services may no longer be free?
If a newly-designed quantum computer with 64, 128, 256, and 1024 q-bit exec units was developed, at a worst case cost of $10B; then it might be provided as an internet service? VisualSim can build cost-models that could explore such a service. Making simplifying assumptions, such as ignoring the time-value-of-money; then one could examine if a newly designed quantum computer that has four different q-bit execution units; is commercially feasible? If the $10B is amortized over 10 years, or approximately $1B per year; then the four quantum execution units would need approximately $32 per second combined to breakeven. A VisualSim cost-model could be used to evaluate expected 64, 128, 256, and 1024 q-bit user traffic requests, including the time-value-of-money.