you consider the condition of turbos ballance, air filter and oil quality abuse?
Jezzie's K24 has absolutely nothing until I'm about to gear up to 2nd. Beating people off the line doesn't happen, but as soon as I grab second I've got good boost.
On a highway run with the turbo spooled up nicely I have 10+ PSI as low as about 2100 RPM but I definitely don't hit my current 15 PSI max until more like 2600. For stop and go driving it really isn't the most ideal turbo but once you're moving it works great.
For the way I run my car currently a smaller turbo would be better. Having some lower RPM boost would be fantastic, plus I'd be able to get to peak boost a lot sooner. That said though once you get used to the larger turbo and know how to keep it spun up while driving you do just fine. My longer term plans include getting up in to the low 20's boost-wise at which point the K24 is pretty much being used to its full potential.
you will get peak boost sooner but at the higher rpms the turbo will be run out of its efficiency much sooner as well, its a real give and take. like you're saying tho, a k24 on the highway is pretty much instant boost, really it is only 1st gear that its a little laggy. increasing fueling helps a lot with that tho too.
you consider the condition of turbos ballance, air filter and oil quality abuse?
Both turbos were brand new at one point and likely passed the same or similar quality control standards therefore I wouldn't consider turbo balance as part of the equation.
Yes if you choose to swap to an aftermarket filter, or neglect to change it when it is due etc, that is abuse, same with the oil.