Perplexity Portable Computer puts an agent on your own hardware. Perplexity's launch post says it reads local files, runs multi-step work, and asks before it sends content to the cloud. Local work uses no Computer credits.
The catch is the hardware and the plan. You need Perplexity Pro or Max, and at least 24 GB of VRAM on a supported GPU.
Off Grid AI runs on the computer you already have. It picks models that fit your memory, remembers your work, and acts only after your yes. Pro costs $79.99 once.
Get Pro for $79.99 once · Download Off Grid AI
Off Grid AI and Perplexity Portable Computer side by side
| Off Grid AI | Perplexity Portable Computer | |
|---|---|---|
| Computers | Mac (Apple silicon), Windows, Linux | DGX Spark (Linux), Windows with RTX or Ryzen AI Max |
| Minimum GPU memory | None; the app shows which models fit | 24 GB VRAM or GPU-accessible memory |
| Mac support | Yes | Not listed in its Portable Computer posts |
| Local models | Open models that fit your computer | Qwen 3.8 27B or PPLX 27B |
| Asks before using the cloud | You pick local or remote for each model | Yes, asks permission first |
| Memory of screens, meetings and mail | Yes, with Pro | Not listed |
| Meeting notes without a bot | Yes, with Pro | Not listed |
| Phone app with on-device models | Yes, iPhone and Android | Not listed |
| Price | Free app; Pro $79.99 once, or $7.99 a month | Included in Pro and Max; Max $200 a month |
Checked 30 October 2026 against Perplexity's posts on the launch, Windows and AMD, and its Max help article. "Not listed" means the feature is not on Perplexity's own pages. Off Grid AI's price is a limited-time lifetime offer, down from $119.
What it costs over three years
Portable Computer is not sold on its own. It comes with Pro or Max. The Pro price was not listed on the Perplexity pages we checked, so this table shows Max.
| 1 year | 3 years | |
|---|---|---|
| Perplexity Max, billed yearly | $2,000 | $6,000 |
| Perplexity Max, billed monthly | $2,400 | $7,200 |
| Off Grid AI Pro, lifetime | $79.99 | $79.99 |
Both need your own hardware. For Portable Computer, that means a GPU with at least 24 GB of memory, or a DGX Spark. Off Grid works with smaller machines and smaller models.
The hardware question
Perplexity's posts set a clear floor. On Windows, you need an eligible NVIDIA GeForce RTX or RTX PRO card with at least 24 GB of VRAM. On AMD, you need a Ryzen AI Max system with at least 24 GB of GPU-accessible memory, on Windows 10 or 11. The first release ran on NVIDIA DGX Spark with Linux.
Off Grid AI Desktop (OGAD) has no floor like that. The Models screen shows which models fit your computer before you download. A 16 GB laptop runs a small model. A big desktop runs a big one. Most Apple silicon Macs and recent PCs can run a useful model today.
What Off Grid adds: it knows your day
Portable Computer is a strong task agent. Off Grid Pro starts from a different place: your own work history.
- Memory. Your screens, meetings, mail and documents become one local memory. Ask a question and get the answer with its source.
- Meetings without a bot. Calls are recorded, transcribed and summarised on your computer.
- Actions you approve. Drafts in Gmail, Linear, Jira and Notion wait for your yes.
- God, your chief of staff. A morning brief, meeting prep, and work lined up for your approval.
- Computer Use and Web Use. Pro can work through visible desktop apps or its built-in browser while you watch. See how to automate repetitive Windows tasks.
On your phone too
Off Grid AI Mobile (OGAM) runs on-device models on iPhone and Android. It can also reach the bigger model on your computer over your home network or VPN. With Pro, Sync carries chats and Projects between devices, device to device.
When Perplexity Portable Computer is the better pick
Pick Portable Computer if you already pay for Perplexity Pro or Max and own a 24 GB GPU or a DGX Spark. You get Perplexity Search and access to more than 15 frontier models when a task needs them, with a permission step first. Its Windows post also lists scheduled local tasks and connectors for Gmail, Outlook, Slack and GitHub.
Pick Off Grid if you use a Mac, have an ordinary laptop, want a memory of your meetings and mail, or don't want a monthly plan.
Start in ten minutes
- Download OGAD for Mac (Apple silicon), Windows or Linux.
- Open Models and download a text model that fits your computer.
- Get Pro and enter your key.
- Connect Gmail or Linear, and approve your first drafted action.
No account at any step.
FAQ
What is Perplexity Portable Computer?
It is the local version of Perplexity's Computer agent. Perplexity says it runs the model, agent harness, orchestrator and scheduler on your device, and asks permission before it sends anything to the cloud.
What hardware does Perplexity Portable Computer need?
Perplexity's posts list NVIDIA DGX Spark on Linux, Windows PCs with an eligible NVIDIA RTX GPU and at least 24 GB of VRAM, and Windows PCs with AMD Ryzen AI Max and at least 24 GB of GPU-accessible memory.
Does Perplexity Portable Computer work on a Mac?
Perplexity's Portable Computer posts do not mention macOS. Off Grid AI Desktop runs on Apple silicon Macs, Windows and Linux.
How much does Perplexity Portable Computer cost?
It is part of Perplexity Pro and Max. Perplexity's help center lists Max at $200 a month or $2,000 a year. Off Grid AI Pro costs $79.99 once on 30 October 2026, a limited-time price.
Does Off Grid AI act on my behalf?
Only with your approval. Off Grid AI Pro drafts replies and issues through Gmail, Linear, Jira and Notion, and nothing goes out until you say yes. Computer Use and Web Use tasks run in visible apps you can watch.
Get Off Grid AI Pro and run a local assistant on the computer you already own.
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