I agree that the more smooth and user-friendly UI is, the more enjoyable the game experience is. Of course you have to balance it with a number of options you have to control the game enviroment.
Some games do it better then others. Feedback to the player is important. More hotkeys=simulator= more difficult to pick up and play.
I personally prefer controling as much as possible on screen with a mouse. CM1 games did it very well, and adjusting to CMSF was difficult. There was about as much micromanagement as before, with a more difficult control scheme (until return of the pop-up menu)
Its a little better, but I wish I can direct infantry a little more. Some type of formation control would be great, unless you get the tacAI to the point they can do it themselves
I also miss ability (you might say micromanagement) to fire main weapon (main tank gun,AT missile) and small arms. That was a great feature