Typical Thinkpad users don't even use the touchpad. They use the Trackpoint. If I had the option, I would configure my Thinkpad BTO without a Touchpad. The Thinkpad Trackpoint (not Dell, HP, or anyone else) is still superior in my opinion to the Touchpad on the MacBook Pro.

I own a top of the line BTO 2017 and 2018 MacBook Pro 15".

I've purchased a 2017 MacBook and three MacBook Pros (2007 15", 2009, and 2014) and while these are used every day, it's my Carbon X1 (third generation) which really shines. It has three "input modes" (TrackPoint, touch screen, and TouchPad, a great keyboard, and a 14" matte screen that doesn't reflect light. To top it off, the X1 is less expensive with specs better than any MacBook Pro. I'm an Apple/MacBook Pro fan, but (to echo others here) if I had to decide today on a new laptop it would be the X1 6th generation. I agree that Apple is losing its way when it comes to laptops.

That being said, the X1 touch pad with Synaptics software can't match a Mac touchpad. If you're not willing to make a compromise on this specific requirement then stick with your Mac.

I've used multiple generations of ThinkPad X1 Carbon at my past 3 full-time gigs, and the touchpad works great in Linux relative to any other laptop I've tried.

A large part of the reason the Mac touchpad works so well is tuning in software. I doubt you could come close to tuning it as finely under Linux, but it works well enough.

T580. Touchpad is ok, not MBP level though. But it's got a nubbin and I'm a nubbin guy.