Perplexity announced on October 20, 2026, that Perplexity Computer can run in a fully local mode on Mac. Both the model and the agent directing the task run on the Mac. Perplexity lists Qwen 3.6 and PPLX Pro as local model options and says the mode is available to Pro, Max, and Enterprise subscribers.
The key boundary is what happens after the AI finishes its on-device work: sending a message or meeting invitation still uses the connected app’s service. Perplexity’s local mode and its Hybrid Compute mode also have different processing paths and current memory recommendations.
What runs locally, and what still uses other services
For a fully local task, Perplexity says the model, directing agent, planning, reasoning, and file processing run on the Mac. Users can authorize cloud access when a task needs current information, browser use, connected apps, or additional reasoning.
That does not make every action a local one. Perplexity says sending a message or meeting invitation still uses the relevant app’s service. So a task may keep its AI processing on the Mac while relying on an external service to carry out an action.
NeoTeo previously covered Perplexity’s open-source SPACE sandbox for agent code execution. This announcement concerns where Computer’s model and directing agent run on a Mac.
Fully local and Hybrid Compute use different paths
Perplexity’s current product page recommends 36 GB of unified memory for fully local Computer and 32 GB for Hybrid Compute. The modes differ in where their work starts and which parts run on the Mac.
| Mode | Where the task starts and how it is processed | Current memory recommendation |
| Fully local | The model and directing agent run on the Mac. | 36 GB unified memory |
| Hybrid Compute | The task starts in the cloud. Cloud models handle research and reasoning, while a local model works with private files and personal information. | 32 GB unified memory |
For fully local mode, Perplexity recommends a supported Apple silicon Mac with 36 GB or more of memory. That figure is a recommendation, not a stated minimum. The current product page’s Hybrid recommendation is 32 GB; Perplexity’s earlier Hybrid announcement described 24 GB as a compatibility threshold, a different kind of guidance.
Set up the local mode
Perplexity’s setup sequence is to install the latest Mac app, follow its in-app instructions to download a local model, then select fully local for the task. The company names Perplexity Pro, Max, and Enterprise subscribers as eligible.
What offline use covers
MacStories and 9to5Mac reported that local tasks can run without an internet connection. Browser use, current information, and connected apps can require cloud access, while sending a message or invitation still uses the relevant app’s service.
