New local mode for Perplexity agent

Perplexity has introduced a new version of its "Personal Computer" project, which is a personal agent designed to run in the background on Mac mini devices. This agent connects directly to the user's applications and files, allowing it to interact with native macOS tools like Notes, Messages, Mail, Keynote, or Numbers.

Fully local operation

The new version allows the agent to function entirely locally, without relying on the cloud. This means that tasks such as planning, reasoning, and file processing happen directly on the Mac, with code execution and tools kept in isolated environments. The agent uses either the Qwen 3.6 model or a proprietary version called PPLX Pro, which is based on post-training of Qwen.

Hardware requirements

To run the local mode effectively, Perplexity recommends at least 36 gigabytes of unified memory, which is typically found in the latest Mac mini models with M5 Pro or M6 chips. However, this is not a strict requirement, and users can still use a hybrid mode if they prefer.

Hybrid Compute as an option

For users who want to prioritize local processing but may not have high-end hardware, Perplexity offers a Hybrid Compute mode. This combines remote models with local ones, allowing sensitive information to be processed confidentially while reducing the need for powerful hardware. It requires at least 24 gigabytes of unified memory and macOS 15 or later.

Access and setup for local mode

The fully local option is available to users with Perplexity Pro, Max, and Enterprise subscriptions. To use it, users must download and configure a local model through the latest Mac application. This new mode highlights the growing integration of third-party agents into macOS, suggesting that Apple may need to enhance Siri’s capabilities to match this level of integration.