I switched to ceramic pads in the front of one car about 6 months ago to test them out...,
so far, I could not be happier
I installed "regular" pads in the rear..., but from now on, all my cars will have only ceramic pads.
I have not noticed any decrease in performance(although I am not racing, etc).
What I have noticed is a huge decrease in brake dust.
Although it is not totally dust free..., the dust is much, much lighter and the wheels do not get "nasty" looking with regular maintainence cleaning.