I dont think either one is better then the other. I do both. Each has its own qualities. Hand piecing and quilt gives me time to relax and really spend time with the quilt. Machine lets me do it faster.
I dont think either one is better then the other I have a 2 100 year old quilts from my family that were hand pieced and quilted that are in great shape. Then again I have a 70 year old quilt that was machine pieced and quilted and is falling apart.
I am not saying that hand is better then machine I am just saying you never know what is going to happen when they hit that age