Perplexity Computer can now run entirely on supported Mac models

Perplexity has updated its Computer application to run fully locally on supported Apple silicon Mac computers, according to reports from MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and Engadget. The updated local-first mode allows the software to perform tasks entirely on the device without an internet connection. [1][2][3]

MacRumors reported that the local software runs on either Qwen 3.6 or PPLX Pro, which is a post-trained version of Qwen. The outlet also noted that Perplexity recommends using a machine with 36GB of memory or more, highlighting the new Mac mini models. Engadget similarly reported that running the full setup locally requires a recent Apple silicon Mac with at least 36GB of RAM. [1][3]

As 9to5Mac and Engadget both reported, this local-first feature follows the launch of Hybrid Compute in September. That previous feature split tasks between cloud models for research and reasoning and a local model for handling private files. The new update goes further by running both the artificial intelligence model and the agent directing the task directly on the Mac. [2][3]

According to 9to5Mac, local processing means task planning, reasoning, and file management all take place directly on the user's hardware rather than relying on remote servers. [2]