Acer – 50 Years of Breaking Barriers

On August 1st, Multitech was born with NT$1 million (USD 25,000) in capital and a conviction: microprocessor technology would shape Taiwan's future. We started with trade, design, and consultancy to build the foundation for what was to come.

We established the Microprocessor Training Centre and trained 3,000 engineers. They became the backbone of Taiwan's information industry.

The Dragon Computer Terminal was developed, bringing Chinese language capability to computers for the first time.

We established manufacturing operations at Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park. The MicroProfessor-I launched as our first branded product.

The MicroProfessor-II arrived as Taiwan's first 8-bit home computer. Computing was moving from institutions into households.

We became the first company to promote 16-bit PC products in Taiwan. That same year, we established Acer Peripherals, Inc., which would become BenQ Corp.

We beat IBM to market with 32-bit PCs. Speed mattered.

The "Acer" name was created, coming from Latin meaning sharp, able, incisive. Our identity now matched our ambition.

Acer Inc. completed its initial public offering in April. We became a publicly traded company with employee shares.

We formed the TI-Acer DRAM joint venture with Texas Instruments, stepping into semiconductor manufacturing.

Acer launched its first notebook. We also acquired Altos Computer Systems, expanding into networked commercial systems.

ChipUp™ technology debuted as the world's first 386-to-486 single-chip CPU upgrade solution. Users could upgrade their processors without replacing entire systems.

Co-founder Stan Shih introduced the Smiling Curve concept. It visualized where value was created in the technology industry. Design and marketing with higher values on the two ends, manufacturing in the middle.

The Aspire multimedia PC launched with integrated speakers and CD-ROM capabilities. We were moving closer to the consumer electronics market.

We split off manufacturing to create Wistron Corp. as part of Acer's second re-engineering. The move let us focus on design and marketing.

The TravelMate C100 launched as the first convertible Tablet PC with pen input available worldwide.

We launched the Ferrari 4000, the world's first carbon-fiber notebook. We also became the No. 1 notebook brand in EMEA.

We became a sponsor of Scuderia Ferrari racing and launched the Aspire Idea 500 Windows Media Center. Performance computing met premium design.

We completed the merger with Gateway, Inc. The acquisition significantly expanded our presence in North America.

We acquired E-ten to enter smart handhelds, and aquired Packard Bell to strenghtne our presence in Europe. The Aspire One launched as our first netbook, Aspire PREDATOR debuted for gamers, and the Full-HD "Gemstone Blue" Aspire notebook arrived.

BusinessWeek named us one of the "10 Hottest Tech Companies," we launched Liquid smartphones, and ranked world No. 2 in Total PCs. The Aspire Timeline portfolio delivered thin-and-light notebooks with all-day battery life.

We provided and managed all computing facilities for the 2010 international winter games held in Vancouver. We also introduced the dual-screen Acer Iconia 6120 tablet.

We acquired iGware to invest in cloud technology and debuted the Aspire S3 as the first Ultrabook™. ICONIA tablets and the AC700 Chromebook also launched.

We supplied all computing equipment for the 2012 international summer games held in London. The premium touch Aspire S7 Ultrabook™ also launched this year.

We launched Build Your Own Cloud (BYOC™) for personal cloud solutions and introduced the Aspire R7 with its innovative touch-and-type hinge design.

We debuted the Liquid Leap wearable, Predator XB1 (first 4K monitor with NVIDIA® G-SYNC™), and Liquid Jade smartphone. We also joined the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index and MSCI Global Sustainability Indexes.

We introduced the Predator gaming line and the world's first curved G-SYNC™ monitor (Predator X34). We also launched the Revo One and Revo Build mini PCs for stackable power.

We revealed the world's first curved-screen gaming notebook, the Predator 21 X, and the world's first laptop to measure less than 1 cm thin, the Swift 7, and the world's first liquid-cooled 2-in-1 laptop, the Switch Alpha 12.

We expanded our digital signage business by becoming a majority shareholder in AOPEN. The powerhouse Predator Orion 9000 gaming desktop also launched.

We launched the world's thinnest laptop—the Swift 7 at 8.98mm—and lightest 15-inch notebook—the Swift 5 at 990g. The first Asia Pacific Predator League esports finals took place in Jakarta, and we unveiled the Predator Thronos gaming chair.

ConceptD launched as a complete line for creators—desktops, notebooks, and monitors. Predator won the Red Dot Brand Award. We collaborated with the Vatican on "Click to Pray eRosary," debuted the new Swift 7 with 92% screen-to-body ratio, introduced the Helios 700 with its sliding "hyperdrift" keyboard, and released the C250i portable projector with auto-portrait mode.

We established Acerpure Inc. with the 2-in-1 air circulator and purifier, and collaborated with National Taiwan University Hospital and Novartis to receive Taiwan's first TFDA-approved AI-assisted ophthalmic diagnostic software. AEB partnered with Taiwan CDC to build COVID-19 medical supply and infection surveillance systems. The Acer Enduro line launched for rugged use.

The ConceptD 7 SpatialLabs Edition launched with award-winning glasses-free stereoscopic 3D technology. We joined the RE100 initiative, committing to 100% renewable electricity by 2035, announced the "Earthion" environmental platform combining Acer and supplier efforts, and unveiled the Vero sustainability line beginning with the Aspire Vero notebook.

We announced a new version of SpatialLabs 3D for gaming and unveiled the Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Edition laptop, bringing a new dimension to gaming.

We pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and expanded Vero to include projectors, routers, and air purifiers. Acer entered e-mobility with an AI-driven e-bike and the eKinekt Bike Desk for active lifestyles. We announced the DIY-friendly Predator Orion X gaming desktop.

We became among the first to announce Copilot+ PCs with the Swift 14 AI laptop. We debuted on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index 2024 and continued for the 11th year on the DJSI Emerging Markets Index.

We were listed in the Top 5% of companies in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025. The new Aspire Vero 16 launched, made from more than 70% PCR plastic and bio-based material. The Predator Triton 14 AI became the industry's first laptop to utilize graphene thermal interface materials on the CPU for enhanced cooling. We unveiled the Acer Veriton GN100 AI Mini Workstation built on the NVIDIA GB10 Superchip.