Can my computer run local AI?
A quick private test of your memory and graphics. See if Taby’s local AI runs here, and which other models fit
About 3 seconds · runs only in this browser
The speed test and its measurement stay in this browser. Results are a practical estimate, not a guarantee.
How local AI works
What happens when AI runs on your computer?
A model file lives on your computer. When you ask something, your hardware runs that model and creates the answer there.
You ask a question
Your prompt goes straight into the local app on this computer
Your computer runs the model
Its CPU, GPU, and memory generate the answer one piece at a time
No internet needed
Your prompt and reply stay here with no cloud, account, or connection required
Inside Taby
One local model, picked for you
You don’t choose models, sizes or settings. Taby’s Local Brain is Qwen 3.5 4B, an open model from Alibaba. Taby picked it because it scored highest on Taby’s own test of 114 real tasks: about 96 of 114, against about 72 for Gemma 4 E2B. It’s mostly better at actually doing things, like moving, snoozing and completing tasks. Taby tuned it for everyday jobs like tasks, reminders and notes.
Quick questions
Can my computer run Taby’s local AI?
Yes if it’s an Apple Silicon Mac with 8 GB of memory or more, or a Windows PC with a graphics card that has 4 GB or more of its own memory. Otherwise Taby Cloud runs the AI for you, with no graphics card needed.
Which model does Taby run?
One Local Brain for everyone: Qwen 3.5 4B. Taby picked it because it scored highest on Taby’s own test of 114 real tasks, and sets it up for you.
How much RAM do I need for local AI?
For Taby’s local AI: 8 GB of memory or more (a graphics card on Windows). For other models you run yourself, 8 GB can run small quantized models. With enough free memory and a short or moderate chat context, 16 GB can usually try an 8B model in 4-bit form, 24 GB can try many 12B models, and 32 GB can try some 27B models. Larger options may run much slower when they do not fit in GPU memory.
Do local AI models use RAM or VRAM?
They can use either or both. System RAM decides what the CPU or a hybrid setup can hold. Dedicated GPU memory, called VRAM, decides how much can stay on the graphics card and run faster. If a model fits in RAM but not VRAM, local runtimes can split work between the CPU and GPU. Apple silicon uses unified memory shared by both.
Can a Mac run local AI?
Yes. Apple silicon Macs are particularly good at local AI because the CPU, GPU, and memory work closely together. Model size still depends on how much unified memory your Mac has.
Does this test upload my computer information?
The WebGPU or CPU speed test runs inside your browser, and its measurement is not uploaded. The website may still collect normal page analytics, and it does not download a full AI model.
Does this local AI checker work in Firefox?
Yes. Firefox can run the private speed test. It uses WebGPU when Firefox and the operating system support it, then falls back to a local CPU test when they do not. Firefox does not share system RAM with websites, so you need to choose your RAM manually to finish the model recommendation.
Can this browser check my VRAM automatically?
Not reliably. Browsers can reveal a broad graphics name and WebGPU support, but usually hide the exact dedicated GPU memory. On Windows, open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, choose Performance, select the dedicated GPU, and read Dedicated GPU memory. You can then enter that amount in the checker.
What can the browser tell us?
Usually it can see the operating system, CPU threads, a broad graphics name, and WebGPU support. Chromium browsers may also share an approximate memory amount, while Firefox does not. Exact VRAM, the precise Apple chip, and total unified memory may be hidden. Apple silicon shares memory between its CPU and GPU, so there is no separate VRAM number to read.
What else affects local AI performance?
Model size and quantization, context length, free memory while other apps are open, available disk space, and the native AI backend all matter. This browser test cannot verify Metal, CUDA, DirectML, native drivers, or your remaining disk space, so its result is a practical estimate rather than a guarantee.
How is the result calculated?
The test starts with system RAM or unified memory, then your graphics. An Apple Silicon Mac with 8 GB or more, or a Windows PC with a graphics card, gets Taby’s local AI. Everything else gets Taby Cloud. The private WebGPU or CPU speed test only describes how quick things may feel. The list of other models assumes one 4-bit GGUF model and about a 4K context.