Similarly you could run Word on a computer from the 90s, but it's easier and more continent to use a modern PC.
A Raspberry Pi will absolutely not be faster at turning on a lightbulb versus embedded solutions, running it through the linux stack will make it much slower.
Nobody cares if your light bulb turns on in 1 microsecond vs 1 millisecond (these are example figures). Sure it may be slower, but both fall within the nonfunctional requirements of the under.
I do, having an OS will have more errors so it won't be as reliable. Want to use a Rube Goldberg machine to turn on your lightbulb? Not me.