With the long-awaited release of MAX, we've been bombarded with an avalanche of questions and comments regarding MAX, including several marriage proposals (!!). So, due to popular demand, we've managed to track down the brilliant, yet secretive and elusive Charlie, lead designer of MAX, for an exclusive 6 part interview. What we hadn't counted on was that MAX himself would have a few things to say... WHAT'S DIFFERENT WITH MAX? WHY DID YOU REPLACE THE LEGACY INTERFACES WITH USB INTERFACES? WHY SO MANY (10!!) USB PORTS? ARE 3 PCI SLOTS ENOUGH? WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH MEDIA XP? WHAT'S WITH THE MAX EMPHASIS ON RAID AND DATA MANAGEMENT? WHAT IS MAX? Charlie, lead designer of the AT7: "I'm glad you asked me that. MAX is a mother board with a legacy-free device interface, maximized CPU performance and memory capacity, on-board LAN, 6 Channel Audio, USB 2.0 and IEEE1394a..." MAX: "Blah, blah, blah. Anybody can tell that by reading the specsheet! I'm more than a bunch of interfaces and memory slots! Without tooting my own horn, I'm everything anybody could possibly ever want in a computing system. I'm like the beautiful girlfriend you've always wanted who also cooks, cleans, mows the lawn, pays the bills AND lets you play CS all night-- if that's what you want." Charlie: "Well, I guess you could put it that way..." BUT WHY MAX? Charlie: "Good question. MAX fully utilizes system bandwidth and provides the best storage management currently available in a motherboard. Combine that with all the fully integrated extra features, and you have the ultimate integrated computer platform." MAX: "Charlie, We know that already. What people want to know is why would they want MAX. Well, the answer is, `cause I'll make your life easier, giving you more time to spend at the beach, or playing MOH: AA till your wrist seizes up and your brain melts." Charlie: "We didn't think of that whenwe included all the integrated extra features, but I suppose you're right." MAX: "Of course I'm right! I'm ABIT Engineered!" Charlie: "Before MAX interrupted me, I was going to mention that MAX users will have the best platform solution in the market, with the best design for users thanks to ABIT Engineering. Because MAX includes just about all the integrated features users will need in a motherboard, MAX is designed for now and the future." MAX: "That's right Charlie. I'm gonna be around for a long time...like Gandalf."