  Most attempts to produce a scalable quantum information processing platform
based on ion traps have focused on the shuttling of ions in segmented traps. We
show that an architecture based on an array of microtraps with fast gates will
outperform architectures based on ion shuttling. This system requires higher
power lasers, but does not require the manipulation of potentials or shuttling
of ions. This improves optical access, reduces the complexity of the trap, and
reduces the number of conductive surfaces close to the ions. The use of fast
gates also removes limitations on gate time. The performance of the gates is
shown to be robust to the limitations in laser repetition rate and the presence
of many ions in the trap array.
