starter models
Reference device
What local AI can I run on a MacBook Pro M4 Pro with 24 GB?
People who want a stronger Apple laptop answer than a generic RAM-band page gives them. This page gives the short local-AI answer for the search query, then routes uncertain cases into the benchmark before the recommendation turns into guesswork.
benchmark first
Verify this class before you trust the reference answer.
It reaches well past starter models, but benchmarking is still the cleanest way to separate comfortable 34B use from aspirational 70B downloads. The benchmark is what turns this cohort answer into a machine-specific decision before you spend time downloading models that do not fit.
why this page ranks
Query evidence and benchmark path
- Organic traffic signal: High demand for the query cluster around “macbook pro m4 pro 24gb local ai”.
- Search intent review: Named-device queries need a benchmark-backed answer instead of another spec-sheet roundup.
- Benchmark completion potential: High. These searches are close enough to a hardware decision that a benchmark CTA consistently belongs above the fold.
runtime paths
Pick the runtime after you confirm the hardware band
The benchmark decides the size band first. The runtime pages then tell you which download path is the cleanest first move inside Ollama, LM Studio, or llama.cpp.
Runtime page
Best local models for Ollama
Search intent: ollama best model
Best for the quickest path from benchmark result to a real local run.
Runtime guide + catalog coverage
Runtime page
Best local models for llama.cpp
Search intent: llama.cpp best model
Best for people who care about low-level control, serving flags, and GGUF tuning.
Runtime guide + catalog coverage
Runtime page
Best local models for LM Studio
Search intent: lm studio best model
Best for people who want a graphical model browser and easy GGUF pulls.
Runtime guide + catalog coverage
nearby pages
Adjacent queries to open next
Reference device
What local AI can I run on a Lenovo Legion Pro 5 RTX 4060 laptop?
Search intent: lenovo legion pro 5 rtx 4060 local ai
34B class gaming-laptop answer for a search cluster that usually means coding, chat, and first local tooling.
Reference device family • launch week 1
Reference device
What local AI can I run on a Mac Studio M4 Max with 64 GB?
Search intent: mac studio m4 max 64gb local ai
120B class workstation-style Apple desktop page for buyers searching for a local-AI-ready studio machine.
Reference device family • launch week 1
Reference device
What local AI can I run on a MacBook Air M2 with 16 GB?
Search intent: macbook air m2 16gb local ai
13B class start for the Apple thin-and-light question people search before they benchmark.
Reference device family • launch week 1