TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Acer is stepping into the AI server market through its subsidiary Altos Computing, targeting research institutions in Southeast Asia.

President of Acer’s Pan Asia Pacific Operations Hou Chih-yuan (侯知遠) said Monday that Altos began rolling out products from August through October, per CNA. He added that it initially targeted smaller clients, such as schools, that larger competitors often overlook.

Altos differentiates itself with a “hardware plus software” strategy, per Storm Media. Its Altos aiWorks management software enables efficient AI computation on Nvidia H200–grade hardware, allowing medium-scale model processing without top-tier equipment.

Hou acknowledged the challenges of competing purely on hardware, noting tight margins and entrenched players. By integrating software solutions, he said, Altos aims to offer unique capabilities competitors lack.

Other Acer subsidiaries are also growing. HSN, which handles after-sales service for electronics, is expanding repair coverage to laptops, motherboards, and cellphones. Hou said that post-IPO, HSN plans to focus on mergers and franchising, targeting large markets such as India and China.

Acerpure has diversified from a single air purifier to eight categories, including water dispensers and air conditioners. Products are sold through more than 1,000 global channels, with Southeast Asia a key growth market due to rising incomes, a young population, and openness to new brands.

Hou emphasized that all three subsidiaries play critical roles in Acer’s strategy, strengthening its position across AI and consumer electronics.