Micro-Star International (MSI)

MSI

Micro-Star International Co., Ltd  is a Taiwanese 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^[1] and was established in August 1986 by 5 founders – Hsu Xiang (a.k.a. Joseph Hsu),^[2] Huang Jinqing (a.k.a. Jeans Huang),^[3][4] Lin Wentong (a.k.a. Frank Lin),^[5] 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.^[6]

The company has been a sponsor for a number of eSports teams^[7] and is also the host of the international gaming event MSI Masters Gaming Arena (formerly known as MSI Beat IT).^{[8][9][10][11]} The earliest Beat IT tournament can be traced back to 2010, featuring Evil Geniuses winning the championship.^[12] The company's slogan as seen in 2017 is "TRUE GAMING. SOME ARE PC, WE ARE GAMING."

History

MSI's five founders Joseph Hsu, Jeans Huang, Frank Lin, Kenny Yu and Henry Lu all worked for electronics company Sony before establishing MSI. Sony's corporate downsizing in 1985 brought them together. With the engineering background working for Sony, they established Micro Star International together 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.^[29] In 2011, the firm was named one of the Top 100 Taiwan Brands, distinguished among 500 brands.^[30] By 2013, MSI has been awarded from Taiwan Excellence for 15 consecutive years.^[31]

In 2015, MSI was ranked the fourth-best laptop brand of 2015 by Laptop magazine.^[32][33]

According to research, MSI was the largest gaming laptop supplier worldwide in 2016.^[34][35]

MSI launched "Join the Dragon" team sponsorship program in April 2017 to discover talented eSports teams.^[36] Also in April 2017, MSI names certified partners for the creation of an RGB ecosystem with MSI Mystic Light Sync which includes CORSAIR, SteelSeries, G.SKILL, Cooler Master, in Win, Phanteks and others.^[37]

Mustek and MSI sign laptop distribution deal in 2017.^[38]

ESL has partnered with MSI for upcoming ESL One events in 2018.^[39]

MSI was the official partner of ESL One Cologne 2018, one of the biggest events on the CS:GO calendar.^[40]

In August 2018, MSI was rated the Best Gaming Laptop Brand of 2018 by Laptop Mag. New designs of its GS65 Stealth Thin and GE63 Raider RGB laptops earned the company a stellar 84 out of 100 and put it on the top spot.^[41]