It's a faster, more accurate, and more effective pointing device in a very tiny fraction of the space. Primary downside is that it has a steeper learning curve

It's a faster, more accurate, and more effective pointing device in a very tiny fraction of the space. Primary downside is that it has a steeper learning curve-- though a couple days of forced usage is enough to overcome it. Poorly implemented clones of the device have also hurt its reputation somewhat, as a poorly implemented trackpoint is never particularly usable.