Ok, I'm lost... What's the big deal? Pentium 4 based on Pentium 3? Duh! According to the books I've read, the 8008 was based on the 4004, and the 8080 was based on the 8008, etc... For Intel to come up with an entirely new core for a new chip would be a phenominial investment of both time and money, and assuming they did, the Athlon Shuttlecraft or some crap (5 or 10 years hence) would have total market share.
Intel a bunch of money-grubbers?? Nahhh!!!! I don't buy it. They're in various partnerships with Microsoft, and we all know they're completely straight and honest with the public! But, AMD is in business for a reason too, and it ain't to use up the global surplus in sand!
Intel more expensive than AMD? So what? Charmin is more expensive than my grocery store brand, ButtRub. But Intel has name brand recognition with the general public, and is still considered the "safe" choice. (And you can bet your ass "we" aren't the general public... Look at Windows and tell me if it was made with the power-user in mind.)
Intel more marketing than engineering? The first chip Intel marketed for the power-user crowd was the 8080. It flopped. People didn't realize that it was ahead of it's time, so they crippled it, came out the 8088, and sold 'em faster than hot cakes. Intel learned that its not about engineering, its about marketing.
Ford better than Chevy? Maybe. I like my 88 Cougar, but Ford is known to be rather unreliable. But, rednecks would be argueing about trucks (or true rednecks about Ford vs. John Deere), so Jaguar is out (also, I might note, known for its unrealiability)!
Would I buy Intel stock? Hell, no! AMD is gaining with each chip. Why would I jump on a sinking ship?!