AOpen Unveils AX4C Max Motherboard -- the World's First Based on Intel 875P Chipset.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 14, 2003

New Board Loaded With Innovative Technology & Unique Features

Provides Top Performance & Outstanding Stability

AOpen Inc., one of the world's preeminent motherboard manufacturers with an outstanding award-winning reputation for quality and value, announces the immediate availability of the new high-performance AX4C Max Motherboard. This significant product release coincides with the worldwide launch of the new Intel(R) 874P chipset (codenamed Canterwood) and new 800MHz FSB (front-side bus) Pentium(R) 4 processors.

The AOpen AX4C Max effortlessly delivers exceptional performance for high-end workstation and entry-level server workloads, more productivity for graphic and mechanical design applications and enhanced Internet content creation capabilities, while delivering leading platform innovation and system performance via Intel's Performance Acceleration Technology (PAT).

AOpen's AX4C Max Motherboard offers new features and capabilities to meet the computing and connectivity needs of entry-up workstations by offering 875P-specific enhancements like: support of Dual Channel DDR400; 800MHz System Bus; AGP8X; Intel Performance Acceleration Technology; ECC; Serial ATA; and Hyper-Threading Technology.

The AX4C Max Motherboard " . . . offers a lot of extra bang for the buck," says Andy Chang, Director of Motherboard Business for AOpen Inc. Chang says that ". . . the new AX4C Max is designed to really have special appeal for power users with the implementation of an additional Serial-ATA controller. This provides two extra serial ATA ports and one parallel ATA-133 port in addition to the two serial ATA ports and two parallel ATA-100 ports built-in with the Intel ICH5R south bridge." Chang goes on to say that ". . . the extra controller also provides RAID 0, 1 and 0+1 functionality for hard drives connected to the ports, giving users extra performance and reliability of system data."

The AX4C Max Motherboard from AOpen has a bounty of other exceptional features for demanding users, like implementing Hercules PCI to provide stable power circuitry on the PCI slots, which also provides robust signal quality. And the new board boasts AOpen's famous Die-Hard BIOS, providing the ultimate in system security and recovery. It includes Boardcom 5705 Gigabit Ethernet and offers a comprehensive assortment of value-added and software features that include: SilentTek; AOConfig; Dr. Voice II; JukeBox; Vivid BIOS, EzWin, WinDMI; EZRestore and others -- all enhancements to a solid workhorse of a board that carries the hallmark of AOpen's legendary qualities matching innovation with the best components available.

The AOpen AX4C Max launches with an MSRP of $239US and is available through AOpen partners throughout North America. It comes with AOpen's exemplary 3-year warranty, with state-of-the-art technology and innovation as standard features for users seeking more than just a board. More information about the AX4C Max can be found at: http://www.aopen.com/products/mb/AX4CMax.htm. Extensive information about the exclusive AOpen features and utilities referenced in this announcement can be found at: http://www.aopen.com/tech/techinside/.

About AOpen

AOpen Inc. is the world's largest total component solutions manufacturer and a member of a $10 billion technology group. Leveraging more than 28 years of technology manufacturing experience and more than 1,000 Group patents, AOpen designs, develops and markets advanced PC motherboards, notebooks, optical drives, PC housings, peripherals, multimedia, telecommunications and networking solutions for resellers, system integrators and those who value reliability and performance.

Editor's Note: More information about AOpen, AOpen Products, services, and business partners is available at: www.AOpen.com.

AOpen is a registered trademark of AOpen Inc. All other products, brand names or companies are trademarks or registered marks of their respective companies.