Jon, I run a few sites in a similar space. I feel 1MB is fine for my customer base. If HN isn't your customer, don't worry about them. If HN is your customer, you have the hardest job in the world because none of us will ever pay you anything you can build a business off of.
Go forth and prosper amongst the people who will pay you for the value you provide. Ignore us.
Go forth and prosper amongst the people who will pay you for the value you provide. Ignore us.