Perplexity's New Mac App Brings Personal Computer to Pro Users

[MacRumors]

Perplexity today launched a new Mac app with support for its hybrid local-cloud AI agent Personal Computer, plus it expanded Personal Computer access to Pro and Enterprise users, so it is no longer limited to just Max subscribers. Perplexity describes Personal Computer as a "personal orchestrator" that hybridizes local and server environments for security and productivity.

Personal Computer is available in the new Mac app, which Perplexity says gives users access to queries, conversations, and dictation. While all Mac users can download the new app, access to Personal Computer still requires a paid subscription.

Personal Computer can access the Mac's file system and native Mac apps to create and execute entire workflows, plus it can access the web. It can see active apps and work across any Mac app, but files are created in a secure sandbox, and its actions are auditable and reversible.

When paired with the Comet browser, Personal Computer can operate web-based tools without the need for direct connectors.

Pressing both Command keys on a Mac activates Personal Computer, and it responds to text or voice commands and displays useful quick actions automatically. Personal Computer can do things like complete each task on a to-do list, sort a messy downloads folder, compare local files against information on the web, and more.

Though it has access to what's on a user's Mac natively, Personal Computer processes intense tasks on Perplexity's servers, so a high-performance Mac isn't needed to run it. Personal Computer works on any Mac with macOS 14 Sonoma or later, though Perplexity says running Personal Computer on a Mac mini creates the best experience because it allows the agent to run continuously.

Perplexity's older Mac app will be deprecated in the coming weeks.

Article Link: Perplexity's New Mac App Brings Personal Computer to Pro Users

 

[John Apple]

I don't think I will ever trust an AI sufficiently to hand over my entire file system to them...

 

[F4C4]

Alright we get it...
But all I wanna know is when we will get a new Apple TV 😉

 

[rotvaldi]

No thanks 🙂‍↔️

 

[Padre_Pio]

It's just too much. Every day some new AI is being driven down our throats. More, more, more $, faster, faster, faster $. Enough.

Sorry, I am frustrated from having to stare at a Co-pilot icon on Word documents for 10 hours today.

 

[gleepskip]

I thought we already roasted this product a few weeks ago. It's amazing people will fall for this.

 

[ryanmp]

Anyone compared this to Claude Cowork/Dispatch? Interested to know if there are any benefits?

 

[Black_Mage]

I don't think I will ever trust an AI sufficiently to hand over my entire file system to them...

You don't want to experience the thrill of AI suddenly deciding to delete all your files? Where is your sense of adventure?

In all seriousness, I'd only trust a LLM to run in a sandbox. I feel sympathy for people who trusted A.I. with access to their local files only to have them zapped.

 

[jbc25]

Embracing Apple's love of generic names for software, I see. Good luck Googling that one.

 

[jayducharme]

From the image, it looks like the app is for giving a bath to the Grinch.

 

[lotones]

"Open the pod bay doors, Claude...

Claude...?"

 

[AndyUnderscoreR]

Is it just me or is this article utter gibberish?

 

[BeatsByTim]

Wonder what genius thought of naming another slop app "Personal Computer". Get the heck out of here with this garbage.

 

[syklee26]

In early 2000 when we talk about AI we talk about Allen Iverson talking about practice and we all laughed about it....

Now AI is all toxic. Times fly fast.

 

[BabyBoii]

never used perplexity, but their ads are god tier

 

[Rodney Williams]

"Personal Computer"? Naaah, I don't think so. Not happening.

 

[Luftkopf]

I’m still waiting for someone to tell me what actual, real world tasks they use these things for. Answers are always vague. Even though I use Perplexity, I cannot see the point for this, other than burning money.

 

[FoxyKaye]

I don't think I will ever trust an AI sufficiently to hand over my entire file system to them...

Right? Here's a high-velocity probability engine and here's root access to all of my personal information. No thanks. I don't want to "Heart of Gold" my computer, network, or financial information.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

Is it just me or is this article utter gibberish?

It reads like a press release was written by AI, then translated to a different language by a second AI, then translated back again by a third AI and then published. Awful.

 

[cjboffoli97]

I'd love to know what the environmental footprint of this things looks like, if its data centers are making electricity more expensive in the location where it's located, and also if it is compromising water supplies for those same places.

 

[krewger]

For the love of all things ai assistants - resurrect Clippy - the Wall-e of workflow assistants.

 

[poematik13]

All these agentic products are MASSIVE security nightmares.

 

[conmee]

In early 2000 when we talk about AI we talk about Allen Iverson talking about practice and we all laughed about it....

Now AI is all toxic. Times fly fast.

We ain’t talkin bout the game, we talkin practice, man! Practice!

 

[tkermit]

Exciting stuff. Can't wait to try this.

 

[257Loner]

How splendid! I am thrilled by such marvelous news, for I, too, require a "hybrid local-cloud AI agent"..."that hybridizes local and server environments for security and productivity", and I am ready to sign up for a new "paid subscription"—right away!

I am desperate for 'Personal Computer' to "access [my] Mac's file system...to create and execute entire workflows" through "queries, conversations, and dictation"!

Thank you, MacRumors, for pointing out this security and productivity booster that only requires all of may data plus a monthly paid subscription! What a unique opportunity! 🌞🐲🥀☄️🥞🍿🍼🏀🚌💻📮💯❗