Several of the individual components needed to build an optical computer have been demonstrated and even put together into a working machine.

BBC: Fibre optics

But these packets, called photons, are also endowed with the indeterminate properties that make them quantum objects - so an optical computer can also be a quantum computer.

BBC: Quantum computer slips onto chips

It includes optical films for computer monitors, televisions, and hand-held electronics.

FORBES: Post-Its Still Yield In Digital Age

"As personal cloud services become ubiquitous and broadband speeds increase, there's very little reason for many consumers to use an optical drive on their computer going forward, " Gartenberg said.

CNN: Why disc drives are an endangered species

The computer maker on Wednesday is discussing its advances in making optical-communications components from silicon, the mainstay material used in conventional computer chips.

WSJ: IBM Claims Breakthrough in Laser-Based Chips

Nanotechnology techniques such as self-assembling promise researchers an intriguing alternative to continuing to refine the most commonly used technique for building transistors on silicon computer chips, namely, optical lithography.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Plus, with analog and optical connectivity, it's easy to get 3D sound from your computer, tablet, game console, mp3 player or any audio gear.

ENGADGET: Antec wants to rockus with its new soundscience 2.1 '3D' speakers