{
  "id": 15767486,
  "title": "Perplexity Computer can run completely local on Mac, with a big caveat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/perplexity-computer-can-run-completely-local-on-mac-with-a-big-caveat",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-20T16:11:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AppleInsider",
    "slug": "appleinsider",
    "url": "https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/10/20/perplexity-computer-can-run-completely-local-on-mac-with-a-big-caveat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Perplexity AI has launched a fully local version of their Computer tool for Apple Silicon Macs. This update, available to Pro, Max, and Enterprise subscribers since October 20, builds upon earlier releases of Personal Computer and Hybrid Compute features. Users can now choose to keep tasks entirely on their Mac or permit cloud processing when necessary.\n\nThe local version supports Qwen 3.6 and PPLX Pro models, both running on the Mac for reasoning and task coordination. Computer can interact with native Mac apps like Notes, Messages, Mail, and Numbers, performing tasks such as collecting information, modifying documents, and creating task lists. It can also analyze private financial data and prepare presentations.\n\nHowever, the software has significant system requirements - at least 36 GB of unified memory. This exceeds the maximum available in many recent Mac models. The M5 Max Mac Studio is the only configuration that meets the recommendation without upgrading, while older Macs with sufficient memory may also qualify.\n\nPerplexity notes that while local processing doesn't make every workflow completely independent of the internet, it does reduce the need to send sensitive data to remote servers. The software uses controlled permissions and isolated execution environments, but it doesn't specify whether Full Disk Access is required. This new local AI processing gives Mac users another alternative to Siri AI, which also uses on-device models and Apple's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.",
  "summary": "Perplexity Computer now runs entirely on Apple Silicon Macs, but its recommended RAM requirement is pretty steep and limits actual deployments. M5 Mac mini The fully local mode launched October 20 for Perplexity Pro, Max, and Enterprise subscribers. The release builds on April's Personal Computer launch and September's Hybrid Compute update. Personal Computer brought AI automation to native Mac…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Mac",
        "title": "Perplexity’s Computer can now run entirely on your Mac, even offline",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/perplexitys-computer-can-now-run-entirely-on-your-mac-even-offline",
        "published": "2026-10-20T15:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}