It's a personal choice. What one person likes, another person will find tedious. I started out doing machine applique because I found it easier and wanted fast results, but lately I've grown to love sitting quietly with my husband in the evenings and doing applique by hand. The process has become more important than the result.
You might want to try each technique individually to see which one suits you. Make some appliqued pillow covers or wall hangings - they don't need to be huge projects.