For years, quantum computing promised to revolutionize everything from cryptography to drug discovery. But in 2026, where do we actually stand?

What's real:

• IBM's 1,000+ qubit processors exist but error rates remain high
• Hybrid classical-quantum algorithms show promise for optimization problems
• Quantum annealing (D-Wave) works for specific use cases

What's still hype:

• Breaking RSA encryption anytime soon
• Replacing classical computers for everyday tasks
• Affordable quantum computing for small businesses

Is quantum computing still 10+ years away from practical impact?