Bitcoin Forum

What are your guys' opinion on ASICs like the ones at Butterfly labs? 5 GH/s for $274 seems scary cheap (considering some ~$300 graphics cards only get like 700MH/s)

have they confirmed delivery dates?

Scam till the day they ship.

That is exactly what I am thinking atm. I think mining would be best without them tbh. With them it would be harder to mine, which is bad for casual-ish miners, like myself.

That is what I want to know, has anyone actually got one of these or are these in the hands of the few?

I haven't heard anything from anyone who owns ones...

I'm relatively new to Bitcoins. I didn't take it seriously a year ago because it was only being used by hackers. I started getting into it because a website I frequent went bitcoin-only.

I preordered a Jalapeno before the new pricing. I thought about buying the next level up which was $649 at the time, but I didn't feel comfortable about the company's current history. The thing I don't like about GPU mining is the amount of power useage and the smell of toasting GPUs. I see no point in making such small amounts of money for so much noise and power. ASICs are the way to go.

I have no idea when the Jalapeno will arrive, but I wont cry over it since it's not an expensive device. In the mean time I am keeping an eye out for new ASIC devices. The Avalons are the current choice but the price is too rich for me. Maybe if Bitcoin keeps on falling I might consider them - it's going to fall under $50 USD, perhaps as low as $40.

Basically BFL is bad. They posted they should be shipping some units this week. Mind you they have been taking preorders for 7+ months so they have a huge backlog of people to catch up on. They also announced they were not hitting their power envelope today and would need to do some alterations to make it work. If you ordered now most people think you won't have one before the year is out. It's up to you but just know there isn't too much good news so far.

Graphics cards can do other things, ASIC's can only do one.

Avalon is selling chips I want to grab a few in a group buy!

I hope you know what to do with them.

I do not but have a few good friends who do, and would be willing to help me. Also some folks seem to be thinking about group buys where they would be assembled for a fee. I'm sure some interesting things will be popping up.

It is scary cheap if your the only one using it. If everyone uses asic next year then 5 GH/s for $274 is pretty expensive imho. I will just wait and when their orders will be send in timely manner i will decide if it is worth putting money there.

If i buy one, what i have to do for installing them?

What's it like now - 6 months since they first expected to start shipping?

Wouldn't go near them 'till I see lots of confirmations for sure.

I'd say, wait until they confirm shipping before giving them (more) money!
They are starting to look fishy though -- they've made to many (false) estimates/promises.
Only time can tell if they will deliver (again).

I'm curious about these too.. sound promising.. but definitely waiting until i see reviews from people that get them (if they actually get them..)

Want to buy a preorder? Go with BFL

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=150803.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=175359.0

etc. Lots of posts about them.

It takes a long time to make ASIC. Soon we'll see a shipping promise anniversary.

As others have already posted, I wouldn't touch this company with a 2x4 plank before I start to see some product. All the pre-orders they have taken, good cash flow.. Maybe they got all the rigs on a shelf mining for them selfs (speculation, i have no idea).

despite it is much powerfull than ati graphic cards, do not consider the absolute mining power as an indicator because every one who buys an asic minner is buying powerfull minning hardware. you should consider the relative minning power equipment. for example, the lowest mining power (5 GH/s) in the future will be extremely low compared to the 60 GH/s and even less compared to the 1500 GH/s.

LOL...why do you think"only hackers" were using bitcoin...thats kinda funny :)