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What is Asus?
Headquartered in Taiwan, Asus is a computer hardware and consumer electronics company that was established in 1989 by T H Tung, Ted Hsu, Wayne Hsieh and M T Liao — all hardware engineers at Acer. The company began with computer motherboards but now offers desktop computers, notebooks, smartphones, networking equipment, monitors, projectors, graphic cards, optical storage devices, Wi-Fi routers, servers, workstations and tablets. It is also developing virtual and augmented reality products, internet of things (IoT) devices, and robotic technologies. In 2018, Asus introduced Zenbo, a smart home robot designed to provide assistance, entertainment, and companionship to families.
In 1995, six years after it was incorporated, Asus became the world’s leading motherboard maker. It is Asus that is credited with making Taiwan the leader it is in the global computer hardware business. In 1996, the company went public and started trading on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. In 2000, it established its service centres in the Netherland, China, US, Czech Republic, Australia and Japan. Subsequently, in 2006, the company also established its sub-brand Republic of Gamers (ROG) to design and develop products for gamers. Under the sub-brand, the company launched its first gaming-grade motherboard ROG Crosshair.
In 2008, Asus restructured its operations by splitting into three independent companies — Asus, Pegatron and Unihan Corporation. Asus focused on applied first-party branded computers and electronics; Pegatron became an original equipment manufacturer of motherboards and components. And Unihan Corporation focused on non-PC manufacturing such as cases and moldings. In the last leg of the same year, the company became a member of the Open Handset Alliance to deploy compatible Android devices.
Asus’ first-generation Android operating system-based smartphones were launched in 2014. These smartphones were powered by Intel processors, not the ARM processors which most other Android smartphones used. The company’s Zenfone line-up of smartphones faced a legal hurdle in India and the Delhi High Court in 2019 directed it to stop selling its smartphones under Zenfone brand. This forced the company to launch its 2019 flagship smartphone the Asus Zenfone 6 as Asus 6z in India.