Those were the numbers as priced: same video, processor, hard drive, display size, Bluetooth, memory and about the same size battery. They both are close to the same size and weight (a $300 option monitor, not included, cuts it in Dell's favor on this). Other than that, each comes with a few minor things the other doesn't. What's left is warranty: Dell slightly better, but for the difference I could get three years Apple Care and still be $50 ahead.
but when I bought my wife's Titanium (a couple of years ago) it was over $3K out the door.
A PPC Mac I take it. That was the worst time to buy as the G4 chip was in its last throes, already maxed out, and Apple couldn't fit a G5 into a notebook. Let's do it for now: XPS M1710 vs. 17" MacBook Pro. A slightly slower Dell (in processor and video) with otherwise the same specs and close to the same other features comes out about $350 more. And the Dell is a lot bigger and heavier.