Can an M3 Mac run Perplexity Computer locally?
Some M3-family configurations were sold at exactly 36GB - those clear the gate. Anything at 8GB, 16GB, 18GB, 24GB or 32GB does not.
Why M3 owners need to check carefully
The M3 family spans small and large memory configurations, including - notably - configurations at exactly 36GB in the M3 Pro tier. Exactly 36GB meets a '36GB required' minimum: the requirement is a floor, and meeting it exactly is meeting it.
Do not confuse storage with memory
A 512GB or 1TB SSD does not help here. The requirement is unified memory (RAM), shown as 'Memory' in About This Mac - not storage capacity.
If you are at 36GB exactly
You clear the announced gate. Expect the experience to be shaped by having the minimum memory rather than headroom: local models and agents share that pool with macOS and your other apps. That is a practical caution, not a benchmark - we publish no invented performance figures.
Frequently asked questions
Is exactly 36GB enough for Perplexity Computer local mode?
Yes. 36GB meets a 36GB minimum requirement.
Can an 18GB M3 Pro run it?
No. 18GB is below the 36GB requirement, regardless of the Pro chip.
Is SSD size part of the requirement?
The announced gate covered here is chip and unified memory. Storage size is a separate specification - do not mistake a large SSD for enough memory.