ASUS
"ROG gaming and Zenbook."
The story
ASUS, officially ASUSTeK Computer Inc., emerged in 1989 in Taipei, founded by four former Acer hardware engineers: Ted Hsu, M. T. Liao, Wayne Tsiah, and T. H. Tung. At a time when Taiwan was not a leader in computer hardware, these founders faced the challenge of developing cutting-edge technology without direct access to the latest processors. Intel, for instance, would first supply new processors to industry giants like IBM, leaving Taiwanese companies waiting months for prototypes.
The breakthrough for ASUS came when they developed a motherboard prototype for the Intel 486 processor without possessing the actual chip. When Intel itself encountered a problem with its 486 motherboard, ASUS stepped in and not only provided a working solution but proved their design was flawless. This pivotal moment led to Intel granting ASUS early access to engineering samples, propelling the company ahead of its competitors and laying the foundation for its future as a global technology powerhouse.
Challenges along the way
ASUS faced significant challenges including the competitive landscape of the burgeoning computer hardware industry, particularly the struggle to access new Intel processors ahead of established companies. A highly criticized pension-plan restructuring in 2008, which effectively zeroed out existing pension balances despite paying out prior employee contributions, also presented internal strife. More recently, the company announced its exit from the smartphone business in 2026 due to declining sales and faced a lawsuit from Nokia in 2025 for alleged patent infringement on video streaming technologies.
Major milestones
- 1989Asus was founded in Taipei by four former Acer hardware engineers.
- 1989United States PatentFig. 11Motherboard and laptop chassis filingsAssignee searchRead filing ↗
- 2005Released the first PhysX accelerator card and entered the LCD TV market.
- 2006Announced cooperation with Lamborghini for a VX laptop series and became a manufacturer for Microsoft Origami models.
- 2007Launched the highly successful Eee PC netbook computer line at Computex.
- 2008Underwent a major restructuring, splitting into three independent companies.
- 2013Officially ended production of its Eee PC series due to declining sales.
- 2014Launched the ZenFone smartphone line and introduced the ZenWatch smartwatch.
- 2018Launched the ROG Phone, establishing its presence in the mobile gaming market.
Prototypes & people
Currently stocked
