For the time being at least power consumption is most definitely NOT the most important aspect to consider when shopping for an ASIC device. Arrival date is. If you receive your ASIC just 30 days later than anticipated your most profitable mining opportunity will likely be lost and it will not matter if your device consumes 50% of the power of a competing product that shipped on schedule.
This I can agree with!
Power usage is *everything* when it comes to ASIC.
Make up your mind.
+1. There seems to be a lack of consistency.
Fact is that fixed cost and cost of operation (power efficiency) are both factors for ROI. The most important aspect is that the device is capable of achieving break-even. Early asics will have a better mining efficiency due to lower difficulty. Also, ASICS with low power efficiency can be sold off after the break-even point to people with low or no power costs. There will certainly be a market for that.