Quantum computing is quickly becoming a popular investing theme. I don't blame people for wanting to get in on the ground floor of a promising tech trend, but many of the real-world uses of quantum computers are likely years away.

Microsoft on Wednesday announced Majorana 1, its first quantum computing chip. The achievement comes after the company has spent nearly two decades of research in the field. Technologists believe quantum computers could one day efficiently solve problems that would be taxing if not impossible for classical computers.

Quantum computing stocks are attracting a lot of attention these days for one simple reason: These companies, if they reach their goals, could offer the world the next game-changing technology. As we've seen in the past -- from internet-related companies to artificial intelligence (AI) players -- these innovators could go on to deliver soaring earnings and stock performance.