Perplexity Launches New macOS App for Personal Computer

Perplexity launched a new macOS app on Thursday, expanding access to its Personal Computer AI agent to Pro and Max subscribers and making it available to all compatible Mac users through the free download.

The update marks a significant broadening of the hybrid local-cloud AI tool, which Perplexity describes as a "personal orchestrator" that blends on-device capabilities with server processing for secure, productive workflows. Previously limited to Max subscribers on a waitlist since its April introduction, Personal Computer now requires only a Pro or Max subscription for full access. The app itself can be downloaded directly from Perplexity's website by anyone running macOS 14 Sonoma or later, though it is not available in the Mac App Store. The company plans to deprecate its older Mac app in the coming weeks to focus development on the new version.

Personal Computer allows AI agents to interact with local files, native Mac applications, the web, and over 400 connectors to execute multistep tasks. Users activate it by pressing both Command keys, enabling text or voice commands and displaying quick actions. Examples include completing to-do lists, sorting downloads folders,...