What if it occurs that instead of choosing ARM because the processor is "good enough" people choose intel because it is better for the same price? Maybe that is what the current fab spending is about.
>> Without those accounts the payback for new process development becomes longer or those new wafers become much more expensive for a time. <<
And if Intel can get enough utilization of new process, the effect will be double. Intel's per wafer costs will be subsidized by the non-Intel fab work, and the non-Intel foundries will have less revenue.
Unless of course, if there is enough volume to occupy all the available capacity.