Quantum computers have reached a stage of development where breakthoughs are becoming near daily achievements. But how they work remains something of a mystery, because it's very different from the kind of computing technologies that have come into common use over the last six decades.
In the following 10-minute video, Quanta Magazine uses quantum physics to explain how they work and what kinds of problems they're being built to solve:
Quanta's accompanying article is available here. If however you're looking for a easier entry point into understanding how quantum computers work, TheUnlockr has you covered in a slightly longer video:
How long will it take for quantum computers to surpass the capabilities of classical computing technology? A new paper published in May 2023 indicates that day is still far off, with multiple advances still needed in quantum computing technology and programming in order to surpass today's well-established computing technologies.
On the other hand, IBM claimed in 2021 their new quantum chip technology could begin to be able to outperform standard computer chips in two years, which is to say that would potentially happen sometime later this year.
All that is to say it will happen both sooner and faster than many might expect.