The Apple/IBM battle for office supremacy is spilling over into the UK, where an independent supplier has declared it a draw with a novel piece of equipment.

Systems Constructors (0202-297315) has released a board called Turnover. Users of PCs or closely compatible alternatives will be able to fit the board into one of the IBM's slots and their drives will read Apple disks.

Apple Turnover, with supporting software and an instruction manual, translates Apple DOS 3.3 and Apple CP/M files into a format the PC can work with. Some CP/M programs will also come into its range, as long as you have the Vertex CP/M emulator to hand.

The package costs £299, exclusive of VAT and delivery. Systems Constructors promises that it won't interfere with the ordinary running of the PC. The board minds its own business until you want to use it, at which stage it is simply a matter of loadiing the supporting progress and selecting DOS or CP/M from the menu.

This type of approach to data translation, side-stepping elaborate communications, promises a greater degree of machine independence for users. Even at the level of Turnover, where you'll be restricted almost completely to date files, the prospects of improving the life-expectancy of your investment in Apples look good.

But ironically, micro manufacturers are likely to look askance at such developments. It is in their interests to make their systems as inaccessible as possible to produces from competing suppliers. IBM is the only likely winner here, being the largest available target.