This is your perception of the things, Richard.
You have hinted previously, that substantial amount of your experience comes from telecommunications. That is the typical type of equipment which would work perfectly with almost any type of reset - simply because it has always perfect power, usually backed up, never powers down, and at powerup there is always a technician who can flip the switch the second time, if it's needed.

Simply put, there are types of applications where the RC or similar reset will work, in one way or other; and there are those where it won't. But, the proper reset IC will work always. That's why in my humble opinion, it is a superior solution.

This is similar than with those exhibistic superoptimised solutions I am trying to showoff with from time to time here: they do work under a well controlled conditions and environment, but I don't recommend them as a general practice. Similarly, I am sure RC reset WILL be the adequate solution in SOME applications and environments, so, if you are really aware of all the pros and cons, use it at your own risk - but for the unaware dangling amateur and for those who don't want to care just to spare down the $1 or whatever the IC costs - please, please, do use it.

JW