So, obviously it's a little late to jump on the ASIC bandwagon. If I were to buy now, the market would be flooded by the time I got one. So I'm looking to the future.
If current Avalon and BFL(if they ever get around to shipping) are the current gen of ASIC, when do you think they'll start accepting preorders for the next-gen(twice as fast, twice as cheap, if ASIC follows all the other electronics on the market)? I'm thinking next year, but I haven't been around that long and don't know these companies as well as the older members here.
I'm honestly not expecting there to be any concrete facts, I'm just asking your opinions. But I welcome concrete facts too.
Some guys from Switzerland claimed they had a 28nm ASIC and were looking for system integrators here on the forums some time ago. They said more will be announced in May so you might want to keep your eyes peeled. That's the best ASICs can get right now. And I don't think there will be any physical product incorporating 28 nm tech before late summer/early fall.
That said, the most accesible ASICs right now will be the 110 nm ones (Avalon). With chips starting to be delivered in about three months from now, if you want to buy a mining ASIC your best bet will be to purchase from the various DIY projects that will crop up afterwards. Investing in Friedcat's ASICMiner (buying shares) right now would be ill-advised (at least from my point of view), since that market is highly irrational (I think a share is getting close to 2 BTC right now and the mining blades auction they held recently reached ridiculous bids). So, if you want in on the ASIC mining gear, I think the best decision right now would be to play the waiting game and watch the forum closely for new developments. And don't get scammed by the various fake ASIC projects that keep cropping up.