The trackpad on MacBooks blow away any PC laptop I've ever used. I don't understand why PC manufacturers don't just source the same supplier as Apple unless a) it's actually a software driver issue, or b) Apple has a monopoly on the supplier/patent/part. I suspect it's a little of both, as the trackpad on my Dell hackintosh runs much better in OSX than Windows.

I believe Apple have been designing their own trackpads for a couple of years now (IIRC it started with the clickwheel iPods)

I have been hearing this (the apple touchpad being better than a mouse) for a few years now. I just got my first macbook pro today and I'm hating the touchpad (I prefer edge-scrolling and the tap-click on PC touchpads, although I've never loved any touchpad). Am I doing something wrong or does this just boil down to personal taste? I really don't understand how a touchpad could ever be preferable to a mouse (the mouse-wheel is a wonderful invention).

I think you just need time. Why edge scroll when you could use the entire mousing surface for scrolling? I don't know why tap-click is not on by default, but you can enable it. Also don't go changing the tracking speed or acceleration on your trackpad either. Give it some time if it feels odd. Its pretty much perfect.

You can enable tap-click on the Mac too. It's just not on by default. I find touchpad scrolling on the Mac to be far more precise and comfortable than side-scrolling. I'd say give it a week.