I recall Dell had laptops in the past at some point that had blue trackpoint-like nubs

And they were complete trash in comparison to the ones on ThinkPads imo.

I don't think more modern ThinkPads are much better... they have a shorter keyboard depth than the earlier models and the feel overall is significantly reduced... I understand as most people don't generally want a "thick" notebook.

I agree, they used to be a lot better.

The beefier business line models are still decent though.

I used a toshiba that only had the nub and no trackpad previously.

I have multiple Dell laptops that have a mouse nub in the middle of the keyboard

I've used it on a Dell laptop too, but it was far inferior to the Trackpoint. I think IBM/Lenovo had a patent on the specific technology but it might be expired now.

The track point dates to the 1990's at least so at least the main patents have expired. I have no clue about advances they might have made

A TrackPoint-like "pointy stick" has been on some other major brands:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointing_stick#Naming_and_bran...

the HHKB studio has a trackpoint as well

Many dells and HPs come with track points