To run AI without the cloud, you put the AI model on hardware you own. There are two practical routes: buy a ready-made appliance that arrives set up, or install software on a Mac or PC you already have. Both process everything on-site, so no data leaves your building.
Running AI without the cloud used to mean building a server and learning developer tools. Today there are two straightforward routes, and neither requires you to be technical. The right one depends on whether you'd rather buy a machine built for the job or use a computer you already own.
The simplest option is a purpose-built box that arrives with everything installed. You plug it into the office network, and the team logs in from their browsers — no setup, no configuration. The PrivateOfficeAI Box comes with the AI engines and Remote Access pre-installed and is sized to run those engines well out of the crate.
Because it's a dedicated machine, nothing competes with the AI for resources and there's nothing for you to maintain.
If you'd rather use hardware you already have, the Software edition ($899 one-time) installs on a Mac or Windows PC — Linux is available for advanced users. A machine with 16GB of memory runs the fast engine well, and 32GB or more unlocks the bigger engines. On the software, the larger engines download the first time you use them; after that they run locally like everything else.
| Appliance (Box) | Software on your computer | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Plug in and log in | Install on a Mac or PC |
| Cost | $4,900 one-time (Pro $7,500) | $899 one-time |
| Best for | A whole team sharing one machine | Trying it on hardware you own |
| Engines | All preloaded, sized to run well | Bigger engines download first use; depends on your RAM |
If you want something that just works for the whole office with nothing to manage, choose the Box. If you want the lowest-cost way to try local AI on a capable computer you already have, choose the Software. Either way you get the same features — private chat, a knowledge base, and document drafting — with your data staying in-house. You can try a live demo first.
A ready-made appliance. The PrivateOfficeAI Box arrives with the AI engines pre-installed — you plug it into the office network and everyone logs in from a browser. There is no setup or configuration.
Yes. The Software edition installs on a Mac or Windows PC for $899 one-time. A machine with 16GB of memory runs the fast engine well, and 32GB or more unlocks the bigger engines.
You mainly need enough memory (RAM). You do not need a separate expensive graphics card — a modern CPU or Apple Silicon machine runs these engines. The Box is sized to run its engines well out of the crate.
It is a one-time purchase with no per-seat fees, so for a team it usually costs less over time than a monthly cloud subscription billed per person — and the machine keeps working forever.