"Intel has always been able to command a higher price, and remember it's not JUST the processor."
Sure. There is the chipset with the legendary graphics performance.
I can see it, there will be crowds who say "I will gladly pay 40% more for a slower processor to get the Intel name"...
Now true, the battery life is better. But for the $300 plus differential, maybe a second battery is a better solution for many.