Portable Computer is Perplexity’s new local AI agent – why it’s a game changer (www.zdnet.com)

Perplexity has launched its Portable Computer, a groundbreaking local AI agent designed to process requests and tasks directly on users' machines rather than relying on cloud-based models. This shift offers significant advantages, including enhanced speed, improved security, and reduced operational costs. Local AI minimizes data breach risks, as all processing occurs within an isolated environment, and users can control when, if ever, the AI connects to the internet. However, to utilize this technology, users must possess powerful hardware, such as an Nvidia RTX GPU with at least 24GB of VRAM, which limits accessibility primarily to those with paid Pro or Enterprise accounts. The Portable Computer provides users with advanced local AI model options like the Qwen 3.8 27B and a specially refined PPLX 27B model, both optimized for efficiency and accuracy. Upcoming support for Nvidia’s Nemotron 3.5 Lightning will further enhance its capabilities. While high hardware requirements may deter casual users, this development marks a significant advancement in local AI technology, promoting a future where local models could become more widespread and accessible as computing power continues to evolve.