SUMMARY: The motherboard industry is all about innovation. Due to the fact that most boards that are based on the same chipset perform virtually identically, it is up to the manufacturer to include something that makes their board stand out from the rest. Abit have gone along way to improve innovation with their release of their MAX series of motherboards, which are legacy free. Abit’s first MAX motherboard is their AT7 which is based on the VIA KT333 chipset for the Athlon platform. Follow Asher “Acid” Moses as he tells us if all this innovation is worth it, maybe it will be something we will see in the near future from other manufacturers, or maybe it isn’t.
Abit have introduced a new packaging for their MAX series of motherboards, beginning with the AT7. I think you'll agree that this new packaging is very stylish and serves its purpose well. I'm not sure about the usefulness of the plastic handle, however, it could come in handy whilst transporting the board from the computer store to your home.
Inside the box is a detailed User's Manual, a driver CD, a driver diskette for the RAID controller, a backplate that enables the extra USB ports, IDE and Floppy cables, and some cable ties. The IDE and Floppy cables feature Abit's unique black and blue style, which is a nice change from the usual grey cables that come bundled with most motherboards. The cable ties are also a very handy addition because it enables you to clean up the wiring inside your case for increased airflow.
On the driver CD, aside from drivers, is a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, Norton Anti-Virus 2002 and Hardware Monitor. Abit are not known for bundling a plethora of free software with their motherboards, mainly because they are directed at enthusiasts who would probably already own most of the software that could be included. This also helps to lower the price of the board.
