Perplexity wants to be more than just an answer engine. On Wednesday, it launched Personal Computer, a new AI agent tool that can turn a spare Mac into a locally run AI system, pitching it as \u201ca digital proxy for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Personal Computer<\/a> will run 24\/7 on a dedicated device on your local network, have full access to your files and apps, and be controllable from anywhere and on any device, Perplexity said. That deeper access makes it a more personalized version of a similar product Perplexity launched last month<\/a>, Perplexity Computer, a cluster of agents it described as a \u201cgeneral-purpose digital worker.\u201d<\/p>\n Perplexity pitches the system as more secure than other agent systems like OpenClaw<\/a>, offering users a \u201cfull audit trail\u201d and the ability to reverse actions or approve sensitive actions before they\u2019re performed. There\u2019s also a kill switch, which I imagine would be useful if it went rogue and started speed deleting emails<\/a>.<\/p>\n Personal Computer is not yet available \u2014 Perplexity says potential users will need to join a waitlist<\/a> to get early access, though has not indicated when the service will go live.<\/p>\n Like Perplexity Computer, Personal Computer is primarily aimed at professional use, part of the company\u2019s broader strategy of positioning itself as a specialized tool. In a video demonstration<\/a>, Perplexity shows a user treating Personal Computer as a virtual assistant \u2014 typing and speaking prompts to have it draft emails to investors, turn reports into slide decks, and rank candidates for a job.<\/p>\n But Personal Computer clearly hints at broad consumer appeal as well, particularly being positioned as something that can run on consumer-grade devices. Perplexity says the software will run on a Mac Mini \u2014 a popular device<\/a> among AI agent enthusiasts \u2014 but it\u2019s unclear what other hardware and platforms are supported.<\/p>\n