Guides
Small AI models that run on your own laptop, explained in plain English. Which one to pick, what your computer needs, and what to expect with no signal. For product news and updates, see Offline News.
Choosing a model
Which offline AI model suits your computer, and what "small" really means.
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Which AI model should I install on my Mac?
A plain answer by memory size, 8, 16, 24, 32 GB and more, and what changes on Apple Silicon and older Intel Macs.
Updated 6 Nov 2026 · 6 min read -
Which AI model should I use on a Windows laptop?
Pick by memory first, then graphics card. What to expect from 8, 16 and 32 GB laptops.
Updated 6 Nov 2026 · 6 min read -
What is a "small" AI model, and how is it different from ChatGPT?
What small models are good at, where they fall short, and why that is fine for a lot of everyday work.
Updated 6 Nov 2026 · 6 min read -
Lite, Standard and Large: how WorkOffline picks a model for your laptop
The three models, what each one is, and the simple rules the app uses to recommend one.
Updated 6 Nov 2026 · 5 min read
Your laptop
Memory, disk space and what your computer needs to run AI with no internet.
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How much memory and disk space do offline AI models need?
A simple table of download sizes and memory use, how to check your own laptop, and how to free up room.
Updated 6 Nov 2026 · 6 min read -
Will offline AI drain my laptop battery?
What uses power, and simple ways to make a charge last a journey.
Coming soon
Working offline
Using AI on planes, trains and anywhere the signal gives up.
Privacy
What stays on your laptop, and what the licences on open models mean for you.
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Is offline AI private? What stays on your laptop
What "offline" really covers, the connections that still happen, and how to check for yourself.
Updated 6 Nov 2026 · 6 min read -
Open model licences explained: what Apache 2.0 and MIT mean for you
What you can do with an openly licensed model, what the licence does not promise, and how other licences differ.
Updated 6 Nov 2026 · 6 min read
What's new
New small models, explained when they matter. For product news and updates, see Offline News.
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New small models, in plain English
When a new open model is worth knowing about, we explain it here.
Coming soon
Looking for product news? Offline News has updates, signal reports and the weekly Flat White Index.
Quick answers
Can I use AI with no internet?
Yes, if the AI model runs on your own laptop. You download the model once on Wi-Fi, then it works offline: on a train, a plane or anywhere without signal.
Which AI model should I use on my laptop?
Choose by memory. About 4 billion parameters for 8 GB, about 8 billion for 16 GB, and about 14 billion for 32 GB or more on an Apple Silicon Mac or a PC with a graphics card that has 12 GB or more of its own memory.
Is offline AI private?
Much more private than cloud chatbots, because your questions and files are processed on your laptop. Check what the app still connects to, such as updates, and whether it sends analytics.
Want the easy way? WorkOffline checks your laptop, downloads the right model once and then works with no signal. See tickets and prices.