I feel 1080p is important, simply because it's a standard. It's like the luxuries we demand in a modern society.
Could you lower the resolution to improve performance? Yes, you could. Could you build a house without windows to make the house cheaper? Yes, you could. Is either a necessary compromise? No, they aren't in my opinion.
1080p televisions became ubiquitous several years ago. I find it disconcerting that brand-new systems in 2013 are struggling to meet that standard set many years before they came out. These consoles could've had very powerful hardware, but both Sony and Microsoft played it way too safe this time around.
"Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
-Samuel Clemens
