For someone who doesn't use T9 now I wouldn't be surprised if it was hard for them to changeover. I know a few people who simply don't get it and continue to use the regular multiple press. Of course it can always be disabled.

Something in the Nokia E range as suggested with a full QWERTY might be an answer to that. An E61 is quite a wide phone. I always found it a bit difficult to line the ear piece of my E61 up with my ear when using it as an actual phone.

Here (Australia) you can buy brand new low end Nokias on prepay for $50-100 and unlocked. They'll have much better battery life as compared with say an E61.