MINIX runs on BILLIONS of devices
Michael Cheponis
The microkernel-based operating system MINIX, developed by Andrew S. Tanenbaum, is embedded primarily in Intel processors, specifically in the Intel Management Engine (ME). This specialized subsystem is included in nearly all Intel chipsets, beginning with the Intel Core processors from 2008 onward.
MINIX runs on a hidden coprocessor within these chips, providing functions related to power management, security, and system initialization. The system is essential for running the platform firmware, even below the operating system level. This widespread inclusion in nearly every modern Intel-powered computer accounts for the billions of devices where MINIX is present, ranging from desktops and laptops to servers.
Though most users are unaware of its presence, MINIX operates silently in the background on these devices.