Local AI readiness: is your Mac ready for local AI?
Perplexity Computer local mode put a hard number on it - 36GB - but the underlying logic applies to local AI on Mac in general: Apple Silicon, and as much unified memory as you have.
The two questions that decide almost everything
1. Is it Apple Silicon? Modern local AI tools for Mac are built for Apple Silicon (M1 and later). Intel Macs are excluded from Perplexity Computer local mode and are a poor base for local AI generally.
2. How much unified memory does it have? Local models live in unified memory. More memory means larger models and more headroom. Perplexity's announced floor - 36GB - is a useful benchmark for 'serious local AI' even beyond that one product.
A readiness ladder (honest, benchmark-free)
8-16GB: Cloud AI and light local experiments. Below the Perplexity local-mode floor.
18-32GB: Capable everyday machines that still fall short of the 36GB floor for Perplexity Computer local mode.
36-48GB: Meets the announced local-mode requirement, with modest to comfortable headroom.
64GB+: Meets the requirement with substantial headroom for running local workloads alongside everything else.
Run the actual check
For Perplexity Computer local mode specifically, use the free checker with your exact chip and memory. For any other local AI tool, read its stated memory requirement and compare it with the same two numbers - chip and unified memory - in About This Mac.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a Mac 'ready' for local AI?
An Apple Silicon chip and enough unified memory for the tool in question. For Perplexity Computer local mode, the announced figure is 36GB or more.
My Mac has 32GB - is it ready?
Not for Perplexity Computer local mode, whose minimum is 36GB. It may still run smaller local tools whose own requirements are lower - check each tool's stated requirements.
Can I make an Intel Mac ready for local AI?
Not for tools that require Apple Silicon, including Perplexity Computer local mode. The chip requirement cannot be changed by upgrades.