I can't use those stick pointer things at all, despite several tries at various times. Perhaps I've just used the trackpad for so long that it has never bothered me. I don't even remember needing a long adjustment period for the trackpad, so it certainly wins given that I haven't found the sticks to be as easy to just sit down and use.

I will qualify my trackpad preference by saying I don't allow any clicking or dragging on it. I have nothing but trouble when they do that. I've also found most drivers under Windows are pretty lame with trackpads, so perhaps this is why there's more bias towards the stick. I dunno. I use PowerBooks, so I don't have a choice beyond mouse or trackpad anyway.

As for needing two hands instead of one, I've never found that to be the case at all. I can't see how the pointing stick would free you from using two hands or the trackpad would cause you to need the other hand where the stick wouldn't. Unless it's just bad design, of course. Trackpads should ideally be set up to point with the index finger and click the button(s) with the thumb. And again, no clicking or dragging on the pad.