Perplexity expands its AI assistant to all Mac users

Perplexity has opened up its Personal Computer AI assistant to all Mac users, expanding access beyond its premium subscribers. The company announced that anyone can now download the macOS app and use Personal Computer “for everyday queries, attachments and dictation.”

The move represents Perplexity’s push to better compete with tools like Claude Cowork and get ahead of Apple’s delayed AI-powered Siri update. Previously, Personal Computer was only available to users paying $200 monthly for Perplexity’s Max plan.

Personal Computer operates across multiple environments to handle user requests:

• Local files on the Mac
• Other installed applications
• Web-based resources
• Perplexity’s cloud servers

The system uses different AI models for specific tasks. Gemini handles deep research queries, while Nano Banana processes images. ChatGPT provides “long-context recall and wide search” capabilities. Unlike many AI assistants that run entirely on local hardware, Personal Computer processes most tasks in the cloud to reduce strain on Mac systems.

This cloud-based approach reflects broader industry trends as companies balance performance with device limitations. While local processing offers privacy benefits, cloud computing provides more powerful AI capabilities without requiring high-end hardware.

Perplexity says users can run Personal Computer continuously on a Mac mini and control it remotely from an iPhone. The company has added safety features including auditable and reversible actions, addressing concerns about AI assistants accidentally deleting important files or making unwanted changes.

The expansion comes as AI assistant competition intensifies. Companies are racing to capture market share before Apple releases its next-generation Siri with advanced AI features. Usage of Personal Computer remains tied to Pro and Max plan credit limits, even for the broader rollout.