Abit is a Taiwan-based motherboard and computer components manufacturer. The company was launched in 1989. By 1991, it had been one of the highest selling motherboard manufacturers with sales that soared to $10 million. By year 2000, Abit made its initial public offering on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TAIEX).
With its good sales figure, the company was able to build a technologically advanced factory in Suzhou, China. The company eventually moved its headquarters in Neihu, Taipei.
In June 2005, a container company called Wan Hai Industries partnered with Abit. Wan Hai is also a major investor for China Airlines. It has provided Abit its much needed capital.
A few months after that, Abit announced USI's (Universal Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd.) intention to purchase the motherboard business as well as the brand. They called an important meeting for all the shareholders to talk about the sale of the Neihu building, the disposition of the company's assets as well as the directors' release from non-competition restrictions. Deutsche Bank bought the company's office in Taiwan to clear its debt.
USI was able to acquire the motherboard manufacturing business while Abit's remaining divisions changed into distributing components and networking products. Only the factory in Suzhou, China offered contracts for motherboard manufacturing services.
After USI acquired Abit, the name of the company was changed to Universal Abit. For another 3 years or so, Abit will still handle warranties. By 2009, the company will focus in the CE field and will no longer distribute motherboards.
Abit has been known to manufacture motherboards with overclocking functionality. The company was the first to introduce the configuration system for jumperless CPU called the Softmenu feature. This enabled the adjustment of overclocking within the BIOS and not through jumper configurations. Later on, this feature had been extended into the evolution of ?Guru chip. This custom microprocessor found on Abit motherboards provided the ability to modify the overclocking systems in real time while the operating system ran. It helped lessen the required time to check optimal settings. Abit is also the first motherboard manufacturer that enabled undervolting.
Abit's products are now available in Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the Americas. Among its recent clientele include Kia Motors, Western Digital, Kingston and Viewsonic.
