It still makes sense to go with a physical keyboard if you're strapped for cash. Touchscreens big enough and responsive enough to handle a soft keyboard do not run cheap.
Physical keyboards definitely feel more accurate and nicer to type on. I could have gone touch only when I got my phone, but I specifically went with the Droid rather than wait for a Nexus One because I wanted a physical keyboard. I don't understand how people can use those on screen keyboards all the time. There's no feedback whatsoever.