First off let me say, I have fixed and built many computers over time. (By built I DON'T mean taking advanced machinary and putting the processor together, etc.) I must have put together over 400 PCs in my lifetime, and fixed over double that.
Intel certainly developed some good processors and the technology to back it up. Pentiums and PIIs were pretty good for their time. Then AMD comes along and makes a more powerful processor, based a little closely on Intel's technology. Yes AMD did get into trouble, but they still improved on the design in a radical way.
Since then processors have gotten way better.
The P4 was a big disappointment for everyone but the computer newbie that just wants something to surf online. So they go to the nearest Best Buy and buy some kind of product with a P4, spend in excess of $1,000 and they feel satisfied thinking "I have more GHZ then those other PCs, whatever GHZ are...ha ha ha"
Then they come to my house and see my Athlon doing way better then they've ever seen there computer do. "But that's not Intel! That's only 1.4GHZ not 1.7GHZ like mine, how is it doing better?! Oh and what's this, you payed over $700 less?!?!" :Based on a true story:
The experienced and true techies know that AMD puts out more bang for the buck. While Intel is currently in a marginal lead with their underpowered flagship 2.0GHZ, all AMD needs is the same Thunderbird with a slight clock increase to topple it...Put on top of that the more efficient designs of future AMD processors, Intel users will discover more and more how ridiculous it is to stick with an overpricing company because of their seemingly meaningless clock numbers.
Also, if AMD did die, which wouldn't happen anytime soon, then expect your precious Intel's prices to increase, as their quality stays the same, as has been done in the past.