I've used trackpoints for about 10 years since they arrived, they are great once you get used to them, and I can drop the cursor exactly where I want it.
I found the pads a pain in the neck, nothing like as accurate: tried for a few weeks but gave up.
Again, it may well be experience. I need a new laptop, and it'll be yet another thinkpad.
I can't get along with Mac stuff, bit like marmite, you love it or you hate it!
BW