AOpen


AOpen is a major electronics manufacturer from Taiwan that makes computers and parts for computers. AOpen used to be the Open System Business Unit of Acer Computer Inc. which designed, manufactured and sold computer components.
It was incorporated in December 1996 as a subsidiary of Acer Group with an initial public offering at the Taiwan stock exchange in August 2002. It is also the first subsidiary which established the entrepreneurship paradigm in the pan-Acer Group. Currently, AOpen is a subsidiary of Wistron Group, a spin-off of the Acer Group.
They are perhaps most well known for their "Mobile on Desktop" solutions, which implements Intel's Pentium M platform on desktop motherboards. Because the Pentium 4 and other NetBurst CPUs proved less energy efficient than the Pentium M, in late 2004 and early 2005, many manufacturers introduced desktop motherboards for the mobile Pentium M, AOpen being one of the first.
AOpen specializes in ultra small form factor platform applications; digital signage; and product development and designs characterized by miniaturization, standardization and modularization.

Product position and strategies

Since 2005 AOpen has been developing energy-saving products. According to different types of customers, applications and contexts, AOpen splits its product platforms into two major categories: digital signage platform and SFF platform.

Digital Signage Platform

There are six major parts in AOpen's digital signage platform applications: media player, management, deployment, display, extension and software.

Small Form Factor Platform

AOpen develops SFF platform products such as HTPC and gaming PC in digital homes, and office PC in digital offices. In addition, AOpen develops SFF business PC for business applications, such as kiosk and POS. AOpen also supplies a wide variety of I/O components, including case, motherboard, keyboard and mouse.