Used 'properly' carbide doesn't cut in the same way as HSS. Best performance is achieved by using a heavy machine with a powerful motor to wedge a rather blunt cutter into metal at high speed, feed-rate and depth-of-cut. Not many of us have machines capable of getting the best out of carbide.
Small lathe, small motor as per Taig means you can't use Carbide in Superman mode. However I've had considerable success using the sharp inserts intended for Aluminium on steel, including Silver Steel. Many inserts, especially the sharp ones designed for non-ferrous metals, work well at ordinary HSS speeds, or higher if the lathe can do it, without needing a machine in the Incredible Hulk class. The professionals wouldn't deliberately choose the wrong insert at the wrong speed rate, but then they wouldn't be using a Taig either.
I find carbide inserts save a lot of bother and use them at least 80% of the time despite my machines not being ideal. HSS is a good alternative but has to be kept sharp: I tend to save it for the rare occasions when carbide fails to get a good finish.
Main problem with non-ferrous inserts is their sharp tips are a little delicate. Try not to bash them about or drop them on a concrete floor.
Dave