It seems to me that you've already done your research and answered the majority of your questions within your own questions. If you're on the fence about whether not this is for you personally. The only suggestions I have is to try it and see if its for you. As the old saying goes: Don't knock it till you've tried it.
To answer some of your questions. Of course they are the real deal. They work and many are satisfied while some are frustrated. Most will tell you the positives of giving up analogs far outweigh the negatives in component quality.
There are numerous improvements to be made and there are many innovations in the works. A lot of them are being tested on this forum. Others are being worked behind closed doors.
Is it ready for prime time? That depends on a lot of things that don't even include the device itself. I think the better question might be is prime time ready for the ecig?
Well they certainly do have their quirks but for most, it seems to beat the alternative. I had to chuckle when someone once said that as new technology springs forth, the devices we use now will probably be antiques some day and we'll wonder how we ever vaped them. We are like the forefathers of vaping.....lol
More adequate designs are certainly down the road.....but these things take time. It's like technology in the works. I'm just one happy camper that I found them when I did....regardless of the quirks.
Lu