Perplexity has expanded its Computer app to run entirely on a user's own Mac, removing the need to send data to the cloud for the core workflow. The company first introduced Hybrid Compute in September, which split workloads between local and frontier models. Now, with a recent Apple Silicon Mac and at least 36GB of RAM, subscribers can run the full experience, including the harness and orchestrator, locally.
The feature is pitched as a benefit for both privacy and cost. For example, a user could ask Computer to generate a priority to-do list from their Notes and Mail apps without any of that data leaving the device. Perplexity says this gives users more control over sensitive data and credit spend, as more demanding workflows become practical to run on machines people already own.
Locally, users can pick between Qwen 3.6 and PPLX Pro, a Perplexity-tuned version of Qwen 3.6. If a task would benefit from a frontier model, the software can be authorized to call on one of more than 15 cloud models. Any code or tool execution runs in an isolated sandbox, and Perplexity notes the same security protocols apply in its cloud version.
The rollout begins today for Perplexity Pro, Max, and Enterprise subscribers. To get started, users download the latest Mac app and follow in-app instructions to install a local model. The move signals a broader trend toward on-device AI, though the hardware requirement means it is not yet available to all Mac owners.