I don't think they're useless, but yes chins and dumbell/barbell rows are more effective.
Part of it is mental, I think. It just doesn't feel as impressive - for most people - to be messing with a machine compared to your body or a bar. When I see regulars in the gym using a machine, they're much less likely to put the peg down a level than someone with a bar is to put another plate on.
It's like weights at home vs a gym membership. You can put just as much effort in and do it just as regularly... but do you? Some, yes. Most, no.
That doesn't mean I doubt that poopoohead or anyone else here with home gyms or machines get results. I'm speaking generally. If you're determined enough you can get results whatever kind of training you do. If you're slack you won't get any results whatever kind of training you do. The person matters much more than the equipment. But the equipment matters, too. How much?
It's hard to say. When I trained in the Army everyone used barbells, only officers used machines - maybe they thought if they had to ask for a spot it'd diminish their Authoritah. Now in my little community gym, mostly only men use the dumbells over 2kg, and almost no-one uses the barbells except for some bench-pressing.
If I want to use a machine, I'll be lucky to finish a set without someone else wanting to use the thing, forget about finishing all my sets. When I go to the squat cage to do my squats, rows, presses and chins, I can usually do my entire 45-60 minute workout without being interrupted.
Most people focus on the machines (including treadmills, etc) and dumbells, and most people look the same month to month. Whether it's that people who put in soft efforts prefer machines and dumbells, or whether machines and dumbells prevent hard efforts, that's hard to say. Probably a bit of both.
