Perplexity launches 'Personal Computer'

Perplexity has started rolling out Personal Computer, a Mac feature that lets its artificial intelligence agent use local files, native apps and the web for paying Max users. (perplexity.ai) The company said on April 16 that the product is going to all Perplexity Max subscribers and people already on the waitlist. Perplexity’s help center says it runs on Macs with macOS 14 Sonoma or later. (perplexity.ai 1) (perplexity.ai 2) Perplexity describes Personal Computer as a rebuilt Mac app around its existing “Computer” agent, which can carry out tasks by operating software the way a person would. The Mac version adds access to folders, Finder, Mail, Messages, Notes, Slack and other native apps, according to the company. (perplexity.ai 1) (perplexity.ai 2) The pitch is that some tasks need a machine that stays on and can see files stored on one device. Perplexity said a Mac mini is one of the best ways to run it because the system can stay available 24 hours a day for ongoing work. (perplexity.ai) That moves Perplexity further from a question-and-answer chatbot and closer to a software agent that can act across programs. The company introduced Perplexity Computer in March as a system that can build and execute workflows for hours or months. (perplexity.ai) Perplexity is limiting the rollout to its Max tier, which the company launched in 2025 as its premium subscription with early access to new products. Third-party reports on the new launch said Max costs $200 a month. (perplexity.ai) (macrumors.com) The company says users can start tasks from a phone and then let the Mac keep working in the background, a setup aimed at jobs like monitoring triggers, updating files and carrying work across app sessions. Perplexity used the phrase “digital proxy” for that model in its March changelog. (perplexity.ai 1) (perplexity.ai 2) Perplexity has framed the product around “secure orchestration,” but the launch materials do not spell out a full technical security architecture in public. The company’s help page says the feature connects local files, native apps, voice control and an always-on desktop experience through the Mac app. (perplexity.ai) (perplexity.ai) For now, the release is Mac-only and tied to Perplexity’s highest-priced consumer plan. The immediate test is whether enough subscribers want an artificial intelligence assistant that does not just answer questions, but keeps a computer running on their behalf. (9to5mac.com) (perplexity.ai)