History
In 2003, MSI released the "Mega PC", a shelf stereo computer hybrid with a front panel resembling the former and desktop computer connectors on the rear.[28]
In 2017, MSI signed a laptop distribution deal with Mustek.[29] In April of the same year, MSI names certified partners for the creation of an RGB ecosystem with MSI Mystic Light Sync which includes Corsair, SteelSeries, G.Skill, Cooler Master, InWin, Phanteks, and others.[30]
Also April 2017, MSI launched "Join the Dragon" team sponsorship program to discover talented eSports teams.[31] They have partnered with ESL for ESL One events in 2018[32] and became the official partner of ESL One Cologne 2018, one of the biggest events on the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive calendar.[33] MSI sponsored the Method eSports organization in August 2018.[34] MSI partnered with ESL to bring MGA 2018 grand finals to New York. Kazakhstan's AVANGAR won the Championship.[35][36]
MSI and Ubisoft jointly presented Ambient Link (synchronized game lighting) on Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Tom Clancy's The Division 2 in 2019.[37][38][39]
In September 2020, MSI unveiled a new line of business-oriented laptops under the "Modern", "Prestige", and "Summit" lines, and a new logo specific to these models.[40]
Over the years, MSI has earned awards and recognitions, including being ranked among the Top 20 Taiwan Global Brands in 2008[41] and named one of the Top 100 Taiwan Brands in 2011.[42] In 2015, Laptop magazine ranked MSI the fourth-best laptop brand of the year,[43][44] and according to Topology Research Institute, MSI was the largest gaming laptop supplier worldwide in 2016.[45][46] MSI had also been awarded the Taiwan Excellence award for fifteen consecutive years in 2013.[47] 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 an 84 out of 100 and put it on the top spot.[48]
On 7 October 2020, MSI released a public statement about their subsidiary Starlit scalping MSI-made Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 and 3090 graphics processing units (GPUs), and selling them for higher than MSRP on eBay.[49]
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, MSI refused to withdraw from the Russian market. Research by Jeffrey Sonnenfeld of Yale University put MSI in the Yale CELI List of Companies category of "Digging In - Defying Demands for Exit or Reduction of Activities", the only Taiwanese company in the database.[50] MSI issued a statement on March 28, 2022, claiming that it abides by all international regulations in terms of its sales and operations in Russia.[51]
At Computex 2023, MSI revealed a collaboration with Mercedes-AMG for a special edition of its Alpha 17 gaming laptop. This limited-edition model features design elements inspired by the AMG performance brand, integrating the aesthetics and luxury of Mercedes-AMG with high-performance gaming hardware. The partnership emphasizes both brands' focus on speed, precision, and cutting-edge technology.[52]
In 2024, MSI Gaming Arena hosted a Dota 2 e-sports tournament in Southeast Asia. Teams were chosen through regional qualifiers for the online playoffs, which were scheduled from September 27 to October 6.[53]
The Discovery documentary Esports: The Rise of the New King examines the rapid transformation of gaming into a prominent sport, premiering in August 2023. It focuses on MSI's contribution to esports, particularly in hardware and cooling technology, while also showcasing events like ESL One New York and the MSI MGA finals. The program highlights the role of PC gaming in driving hardware sales and the growing partnership between manufacturers and esports tournaments.[54]
MSI introduced new server platforms powered by Intel's Xeon processors, featuring six performance cores for improved computational performance. These servers are designed to enhance AI, data processing, and cloud computing capabilities. The new platforms highlight MSI's focus on scalability and advanced technology for high-performance computing environments.[55]
At the 2024 Taipei Auto Show, MSI unveiled a new range of smart electric vehicle (EV) chargers. The lineup features residential and commercial models, including the EV Life charger, which is compatible with both U.S. and European charging standards. MSI's commercial chargers offer payment options and advanced management features, such as parking management via license plate recognition. Additionally, the EV AI charger has been honored with a Taiwan Excellence Award.[56]
