Perplexity makes a spare Mac your personal AI
Perplexity today expanded its agent lineup with Personal Computer, a new option that turns an otherwise idle Mac into a continuously running AI agent. Installed on a dedicated device and available across your network, the system is designed to act as a digital proxy that can access local files and apps to deliver deeper personalization than a cloud-only chatbot.
The big win is privacy and utility: because the agent runs locally, it keeps data on your machine while still being controllable from any device. That enables practical, always-on features such as file-aware tasks, background automations, and faster responses due to reduced cloud round trips — and it gives users a path to repurpose old hardware for modern AI capabilities.
Personal Computer builds on Perplexity’s earlier multi-agent offering by focusing on an individual’s device-based assistant. Users gain a more intimate, context-rich assistant that can perform ongoing work, integrate with desktop apps, and be reached remotely — all while minimizing dependence on external cloud services.
For consumers and small teams, this represents a pragmatic step toward more private, personalized AI. By enabling local deployment on everyday hardware, Perplexity lowers the barrier to continuous AI assistance and showcases how existing devices can be leveraged to deliver smarter, more responsible AI experiences.