[dfrey]

The Pi also allows you to write code in a high level of your choice and can toggle GPIOs while running a web server and ssh.

Yes it uses more power, but for many applications, that doesn't matter.

[blhack]

It also doesn't support real PWM.

If your device needs a web server, you're probably not just starting to learn about embedded electronics.

If you want to learn about web servers, do that, if you want to learn about embedded electronics, get an arduino.

[randomdata]

I would argue that connecting something physical to the web is a great first project to ease into electronics, especially if you come from a programming background already. The circuit can remain simple to start, while providing something that is more interesting to play with than just a blinking LED.

[iliis]

And then there are projects like the door lock on our hackerspace which unlocks the door with an RFID-Reader and allows user-management via the web. A perfectly reasonable application for a webserver switching a relais.