Google instant is the reason why my NoScript whitelist no longer contains an allow javascript rule for google. No javascript, no instant. No instant, no distractions while I'm typing in my search string.
The single most important factor Google should be concentrating upon is the quality of the search. If the search returns exactly what I'm looking for at the top of the first page, then I'm happy. I don't care if it took Google 3 seconds longer to produce that quality result. In fact, if by taking 3 seconds longer, the search result quality were to jump by 2x or 3x, that would be much better than trying to flash results in front of me as I type.
This approach does not massage one's nerd G-spot as effectively, but you can disable it like a normal person by clicking the link to the right of the search bar.
The single most important factor Google should be concentrating upon is the quality of the search. If the search returns exactly what I'm looking for at the top of the first page, then I'm happy. I don't care if it took Google 3 seconds longer to produce that quality result. In fact, if by taking 3 seconds longer, the search result quality were to jump by 2x or 3x, that would be much better than trying to flash results in front of me as I type.