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by setopt 590 days ago
Quantum annealers (like DWave) can solve optimization problems efficiently. But they can’t run general quantum algorithms such as Shor’s algorithm, that requires a general quantum computer (like what IBM and Google are doing).
4 comments

> can solve optimization problems efficiently

can possibly solve some (but without any guarantees on which or if any actually exist)

>optimization problems efficiently

did it reach the point where it can do any useful work faster than standard computer? Last time I read about it it was something stupid like "It can simulate its own noise"

In fairness, neither can the ones IBM-GOOG are building.
True, but only because we haven't got enough (error corrected) qubits. In principle they could, whereas the dwave device will never be able to.
Thanks!