I know that dollars = pounds/euros is usually how it works, but the disparity is never quite as large when you consider both the currency valuations and the fact that the price never includes tax.
I can verify the claim, but can't point to specific years. That was however not specifically Apple, but merely electronics in general. I used to import hardware parts through an American friend when he came to visit because it was so much cheaper, and I would say it was more than 5 years ago. Now the difference is negligible.
