Well we have and especially my mom have purchased and used both Semi- automatic/manual and Fully automatic washing machines so far and both have advantageous and disadvantageous.
Well this is 2015, so yes, today most of washing machines comes out with Automatic washing programs to actually keep u off the machine during the wash time. But previous it was not fully auto but was semi auto wer the operation is divided into 3 to 4 different parts and each of them takes about 10 minutes time and each step have to be set independently.
We got the first Washing machine is 90s. I did remember the yr we bot it, but the make was Videocon and was a top loading Washing machine. It had both the washers and dryer but both wer separate.
So the manual process was, we have got to put the cloths in, then, put the washing solution, set the timer knob and turn on the machine. After the 10 min, we have to manually set for the second operation and then 3rd and probable 4rth.
After the washing process, we had to manually transfer the cloths from washer to the dryer and then turn that on and process takes up another 5 or 10 min. Due to that transfer pain, my mom, sometimes doest transfer it to the dryer and instead she squeezes out the water and drys it manually.
But in 2005 and 2012, we got out fully automatic Washing machines of brands kenstar(top loading) and LG(Front loading) respectively. And both of them are fully automatic.
All u gonna do, put the cloths in, put the washing agent, close the door and turn it on. It does both washing as well as Drying. And so after the washing is done, all we have to do is, take is out and dry it out in sun!
The good thing is Fully auto washing machine is, u just gotta turn it on the washing machine and u can forget the process and do something else like Cooking or even take a snap.
But with Semi- auto, we have to keep a regular tracking with the process there which was a pain.
But the Good thing Semi-auto washing machines was, they all wer of rough use and so they lasted very well. Even their motors last for 10 and more yrs.
But the latest models dont last than long and since they are auto, they start giving problems within just 2 to 4 yrs!
So overall, yes its a known fact that the fully auto washing machines are stress free and are better than semi- auto. Its just like comparing an M9 Beretta with M4 Carbine rifle.