Well given that Intel is using TSMC to offset their own 7nm line with TSMC's 5nm because their (Intel's) yields are too low to successfully pull off their DoE contract would indicate that their processes or at least results are similar enough that they could make it work within spec. And while being fabless does have some strong advantages in this current environment that wasn't always the case and may not be in the future, Samsung is struggling with their 7nm production TSMC is currently on track for their 5, but they are running full blast and their new fab's aren't coming online till 2022 or later. Lots could happen in that time, and if China's restrictions get lifted in the near future you could very well see AMD's production time table getting pushed back.Well the thing is we don't know yet how Intel will perform at 7 nm. Just like their 10nm parts, they may lose a big chunk of their clock advantage they enjoy on a very very refined 14nm process and then be even further behind AMD who will be on 5nm+ by then. Personally I don't see Intel ever regaining a meaningful advantage over AMD, those days are long over. Their distinct foundry advantage became a huge disadvantage and now they are a vassal of TSMC as well. In fact, being fabless seems to be the way to go now since you mentioned Apple. Then look at NVIDIAs success, they're fabless and gaining traction with a bigger market cap than Intel so despite AMD going fabless because of financial circumstances, it seems to be the smart bet for the future. Not every high technology company really needs fabs since they can contract out now between Samsung and TSMC who will happily keep building more foundries to accommodate them.
IMO, Intel just looks like an old rotting ship riding on past success and old marketshare. That share can and will erode and it won't be decades like someone foolishly suggested earlier in this thread, technology leadership and marketshare can change very quickly. We're at an inflection point now where even the most stubborn IT administrator at large corporations won't be able to justify an Intel server despite all the Intel kickbacks.