I think most if not all of these questions are "answered" by the Hashlet announcement:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=720844.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=720844.0
I believe a more accurate link to answer your questions can be found here:
https://hashtalk.org/t/hashlet-mining-has-finally-evolved/6125/289
The above link that moon mentions is filled with uneducated guesses and assumptions. Hope this helps!
The issue I can't seem to find a clear answer on is outlined in this screenshot from that hashtalk.org thread:
http://gyazo.com/b81573cf67eda7620bce27f20ae57181
I'm not really sure how buying pools and/or rental services will allow you to increase mining profits. Many of us have been doing this for a long time, and some of us own both a rental service and a pool (lol), and have yet to find that magic 'double' button you guys claim -- I'll keep looking though, that's for sure.
