NIF uses inefficient lasers because they were cheap to build at the time and because NIF is a science experiment. Lasers have gotten better. And lasers aren't the only way ICF fusion could be carried out, it may be possible to use ion beams instead[0].
It does not matter if fusion reactions last microseconds if they generate more energy. Using optimistic, but not unrealistic assumptions, it appears feasible for electricity costs to reach $25 per MWh[1] with ICF. With the most important factors driving cost being achieving high gain and yield per shot
Those numbers don't seem feasible. Near as I can tell, a steam generator with a magical source of never-ending heat would cost $15/MWh. There is no way a high-tech facility and the personnel required to run it are costing $10/MWh.
Are you allowing for cooling towers, water treatment, pipework, and so on? Also the grid connection hardware, spare turbines, cooling pumps, etc., and O&M costs?
NIF exists to research nuclear weapons without breaking the treaties. Their fusion energy research is a nice corollary but it is absolutely not their focus.
It does not matter if fusion reactions last microseconds if they generate more energy. Using optimistic, but not unrealistic assumptions, it appears feasible for electricity costs to reach $25 per MWh[1] with ICF. With the most important factors driving cost being achieving high gain and yield per shot
[0]https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/650904/
[1]https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsta.2020.005...