Motherboard Manufacturer Abit Dead (Sort-of)

Motherboard Manufacturer Abit Dead (Sort-of)

David Murphy

Dec 22, 2008 10:11 am

http://www.pcworld.com/article/15586...l?tk=nl_dnxnws

Internet speculation about the fate of Taiwanese manufacturer Abit has
been running at feverish paces this week. But as Obi-Wan Kenobi might
say, the alleged death of the company is correct--from a certain point
of view. The manufacturer, known throughout the computing circles for
its motherboard offerings, is at the mercy of a restructuring by
parent company Universal Scientific Industrial. As part of the cost-
cutting measures that USI plans to undertake, Abit will cease
production on all motherboards as the company heads into the new year.

Abit still plans to offer RMAs and warranties for up to three years,
but you can expect to see no new Abit-branded motherboards coming
through the retail chains until further notice... if ever.

Here's the wording straight from the mouth of Fernando Cobreros
Benito, an Abit sales manage, in an interview with Hardware.Info:

"ABIT will definitely continue to [sic] manufactor products, these
will not be motherboards and we have not got a 100% clear picture yet
on what products will be made", stated Benito, and also added:
"Products now made by USI that are not sold to OEM's will get the ABIT
branding. Think about items like external hard drives to Car PC's. USI
is already [sic] manufactering a wide range of products for all the
big companies on the market."

Sound familiar?

Founded in 1989, Abit long enjoyed a status as one of the more popular
motherboard vendors among consumers--arguably, providing some of the
first enthusiast-branded motherboards a feverish upgrader could ever
purchase. The company took a hit in late 2004 when its financial
practices came under question, prompting the Taiwan Stock Exchange to
downgrade Abit's stock. In many ways, one could argue that the stage
was set for UBI to swoop in and purchase the company in May of 2006.
Plenty of rumors surrounded the future of Abit's motherboard line
after this acquisition went forward. Abit did its best to put out the
fires well into the start of this year. A noble gesture, but one
that's ultimately futile once the final hours of 2008 tick away. RIP,
Abit's motherboard line.