Presumably they're referring to the ability to parameterize the target page size. In that case, absolute coordinates don't work well (if at all).
But the dx/dy arguments also take percentages besides absolut lengths. I still don't get what the the other poster means by that fundamental limitation. I think they're confused about absolute positioning of background images vs floating figures. But typst has the analog setting of `[htbp]`, so the same "fire and forget" workflow is possible.
Parameterize! That's a new word I didn't know. It adequately describes how I typeset my books, and I must not be alone. The ability to tell LaTeX to drop a picture around here, to the best of its ability, with the possibility of moving it down a paragraph or two if it doesn't fit is vital for me.