Very few sites have a short max password length. I use 1password, and of the 63 sites I've stored passwords, all but 2 allow 25 character password lengths. Ironically, my Bank only allows me 15 characters.
I haven't typed a password in 3+ months - don't know what any of mine are anymore, so I find typing is no longer an issue.
I really like using 1password. I have a long passphrase as my unlock key, easy to remember, then do the randomly generated codes as long as is feasible for each different service.
1) Nothing written down
2) Unique per service
3) Adjustable difficulty & char set per service, to match their stupid requirements.
I haven't typed a password in 3+ months - don't know what any of mine are anymore, so I find typing is no longer an issue.