TLDR:
- Perplexity just launched Perplexity Computer. A cloud-based AI system that runs 19 models simultaneously, each handling a different part of your project.
- It comes with a built-in file system, real-time browser, CLI tools and personal connectors, making it capable of managing entire workflows end-to-end.
- Currently available to Max subscribers at $200/month with Pro access rolling out after load testing is complete.
I’ll be honest. When I first heard Perplexity Computer I thought it was just a rebranded chatbot with a fancy name.
It’s not.
What Perplexity launched this week is something genuinely different. An AI system that doesn’t just answer your questions. It runs things for you. We’re talking research, coding, writing, deploying all handled by 19 AI models working together behind the scenes, each doing what it does best.
Think of it like a full team working on your project. One person reasons through the problem. Another writes the code. Another handles the content. Perplexity Computer is that team minus the Slack messages and missed deadlines.
So What Is Perplexity Computer?
At its core, Perplexity Computer is a cloud-based AI system that orchestrates multiple AI models simultaneously to complete complex, multi-step tasks.
CEO Aravind Srinivas put it well when he quoted Steve Jobs: Musicians play their instruments. I play the orchestra. That’s exactly what this product does it plays the orchestra of 19 AI models so you don’t have to.
Here’s what it has access to:
- A file system to store and manage your project files
- CLI tools to run commands and automate tasks
- A real-time browser to research and pull live information
- Personal connectors to plug in your own tools and data
Put it all together and you’ve got an AI that can take a project from idea to finished product without you babysitting every step.
How the 19-Model System Actually Works
Here’s the part that makes Perplexity Computer stand out from everything else out there.
Instead of relying on one AI model to do everything, Perplexity routes each part of your task to the model best suited for it. One model handles reasoning. Another handles code. Another handles writing. The system manages what they call sophisticated token management. Basically making sure the right model gets the right job without wasting resources.
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Multi-model orchestration | 19 AI models running in parallel |
| File system + CLI | Manages full project workflows end-to-end |
| Real-time browser | Researches live data while working |
| Personal connectors | Integrates your own tools and data |
| Usage-based pricing | You only pay for what you actually use |
It’s less like using an AI tool and more like delegating to an AI team.
Pricing — Who Can Use It Right Now?
Right now, Perplexity Computer is available exclusively to Max subscribers, which runs at $200/month.
Pro subscribers are next in line Srinivas mentioned they’ll get access once the team is satisfied with load testing. The product is web-only at launch and requires you to sign in.
On pricing, Srinivas made an interesting point: usage-based pricing is the right business model for AI instead of ads. Meaning you pay based on how much you actually use it not a flat fee regardless of activity. That’s a shift worth paying attention to if you use AI tools heavily.
Who Is This Actually For?
Let’s be real — $200/month isn’t for everyone. But if you fall into any of these categories, it’s worth a serious look:
- Developers who want to build and deploy without juggling 10 different tools
- Content creators and bloggers managing research, drafts and publishing pipelines
- Entrepreneurs and solopreneurs running lean without a full team
- Freelancers handling complex, multi-step client projects
If your work involves switching between tools constantly. Perplexity Computer is built to collapse all of that into one place.
The Bigger Picture
Perplexity Computer didn’t launch in a vacuum. The company has been on a serious run lately upgrading Deep Research, launching a Model Council feature, and confirming that its Comet AI browser is hitting iPhone in March.
On top of that, Perplexity’s AI assistant is being baked directly into Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup, activated by saying “Hey Plex.” That’s a massive distribution play.
The message from Perplexity is clear: they’re not building a search engine anymore. They’re building an operating system powered by AI.
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FAQ
What is Perplexity Computer?
It’s a cloud-based AI system from Perplexity that uses 19 AI models working together to handle entire projects research, coding, writing, and deployment autonomously.
How many AI models does it use?
It orchestrates 19 models simultaneously, with each model assigned to the task it performs best.
How much does Perplexity Computer cost?
It’s currently available to Max plan subscribers at $200/month, with Pro access coming soon.
Is Perplexity Computer available on mobile?
Not yet — it’s web-only at launch and requires a sign-in to access.
