MSI (Micro-Star International Co., Ltd, Chinese: 微星ç§'技股份有é™å…¬å¸) is a Taiwan multinational information technology corporation headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan. It designs, develops and provides computer hardware, related products and services, including laptops, desktops, motherboards, graphics cards, All-in-One PCs, servers, industrial computers, PC peripherals, car infotainment products, etc.
The company has a primary listing on the Taiwan Stock Exchange and was established in August 1986 by 5 founders â€" Hsu Xiang (a.k.a. Joseph Hsu), Huang Jinqing (a.k.a. Jeans Huang), Lin Wentong (a.k.a. Frank Lin), Yu Xian'neng (a.k.a. Kenny Yu), and Lu Qilong (a.k.a. Henry Lu). First starting its business in New Taipei City, Taiwan, MSI later expanded into Mainland China, setting up its Baoan Plant in Shenzhen in 2000 and establishing research and development facilities in Kunshan in 2001. It also provides global warranty service in North America, Central/South America, Asia, Australia and Europe.
The company has been a sponsor for a number of eSports teams and is also the host of the international gaming event MSI Masters Gaming Arena (formerly known as MSI Beat IT). The earliest Beat IT tournament can be traced back to 2010, featuring Evil Geniuses winning the championship.
Operations
MSI's offices in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, Taiwan serve as the company's headquarters, and house a number of different divisions and services.
Manufacturing initially took place at plants in Taiwan.
The company has branch offices in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South Africa. As of 2015 the company has employed a global workforce of over 13,500 and has a global presence in over 120 countries, spanning the Americas, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific.
Products
The company first built its reputation on developing and manufacturing computer motherboards and graphics cards. It established its subsidiary FUNTORO in 2008 to provide solutions for vehicle infotainment. Now it provides a variety of products ranging from laptops, gaming laptops, motherboards, graphics cards, all-in-one PCs, mobile workstations, barebone computers, servers, IPCs, multimedia peripherals to vehicle infotainment solutions, smart cleaning robots, panoramic Wi-Fi cameras, etc.
When established in 1986, MSI focused on the design and manufacturing of motherboards and add-on cards. Later that year, it introduced the first overclockable 286 motherboard.
In 1989, MSI introduced its first 486 motherboard; in 1993, its first 586 motherboard; in 1995, its Dual Pentium Pro-based motherboard. In 1997 it introduced its Intel Pentium II-based motherboard with Intel MMX Technology, along with its first graphics card product, and its first barebone product; in 1990 it introduced its first Socket 7 based motherboard, and in 2002, its first PC2PC Bluetooth & WLAN motherboard.
In 2000 MSI introduced its first set-top box product (MS-5205). In 2003, its first Pen Tablet PC product (PenNote3100), and in 2004, its first Notebook product (M510C). In 2009, MSI introduced its first Ultra Slim Notebook (X320), and first All-in-One PC (AP1900).
In 2008, MSI sponsored Fnatic and dived into the PC gaming market. Its GAMING series features laptops, desktops, motherboards, graphic cards, All-in-One PCs and gaming peripherals designed for gamers, power users and all.
In 2015, MSI teamed up with eye-tracking tech firm Tobii for the creation of eye-tracking gaming laptops.
In early 2016, MSI announced collaboration with HTC and has revealed Vive-ready systems to offer Virtual Reality experience.
History
MSI's 5 founders Joseph Hsu, Jeans Huang, Frank Lin, Kenny Yu and Henry Lu all worked for electronics giant Sony back in the day. Sony's corporate downsizing in 1985 brought them together. All with engineering background while working for Sony, these five young men joined forces and leveraged their expertise to establish Micro Star International in August 1986.
In 1997, MSI inaugurated its Plant I in Jung-He city; in 2000, it inaugurated its Plant III in Jung-He city
In 1998, it became a public company with an IPO (Initial Public Offering) on the Taipei Stock Exchange (TAIEX).
In 2000, MSI Computer (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. was founded, and in 2001, MSI Electronics (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.
In 2002, MSI set up its European logistics center in the Netherlands.
In 2008, MSI was ranked among the Top 20 Taiwan Global Brands. In 2011, the firm was named one of the Top 100 Taiwan Brands, distinguished among 500 brands. By 2013, MSI has been awarded from Taiwan Excellence for 15 consecutive years.
In 2015, MSI was ranked the 4th best laptop brand of 2015 by Laptop magazine.
According to research, MSI was the largest gaming laptop supplier worldwide in 2016.
Sponsorship
The company partners with eSports heavyweights Fnatic and Cloud 9.
It has also been a sponsor for a number of eSports teams worldwide, including PENTA Sports, Energy eSports, HWA Gaming, yoe Flash Wolves, NXA-Ladies, Saigon Fantastic Five, MSI-Evolution, Vox Eminor, DeToNator, Team Infused, Aperture Gaming, Phoenix GaminG, etc.
Gallery
See also
- List of companies of Taiwan
References
External links
- Official website
