well, I like mice better then the trackpoint, but I managed with the trackpoint. now with the touchpad I find myself scrolling when I don't want to, because some goof decided, "hey, let's make the corners of the touchpad scroll! and while we're at it, let's not mark the actual definition of side!" with the trackpoint, you just angle the stick where you want.
In fact, manufacturers prefer the trackpoint, too. saves on "real estate" for the keyboard (although, that's not really all that important... the screen pretty much decides the size of the laptop) the only reason it's not available is because of patent issues.