Recommended Free Tools
To run an LLM locally with Ollama, install Ollama for your operating system, download a model with ollama run, and chat in the terminal or connect an app to its local API. Before you choose a model, check whether your computer has enough memory and disk space: requirements vary with the model and context size.
Can your computer run Ollama?
Ollama supports macOS, Windows, and Linux, but the suitable model depends on your available memory, graphics hardware, and storage. These are setup considerations, not a promise of a particular speed or output quality.
| Platform | Documented requirement or support | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | macOS Sonoma 14 or newer. Apple M-series Macs support CPU and GPU; x86 Macs support CPU-only use. See Ollama’s macOS guide. | Available unified memory and disk space. Larger context windows require more memory. |
| Windows | Windows 10 22H2 or newer, Home or Pro. The Ollama binary needs at least 4 GB, separate from model storage. See the Windows guide. | Available system memory and disk space. For NVIDIA acceleration, the guide lists driver 551.61 or newer; GPU support can depend on the card and driver. |
| Linux | Ollama provides an installation script and documents optional GPU setup. See the Linux guide. | Available memory and disk space, plus the current compatibility guidance for your GPU and driver. |
Estimate memory for the model and context
Memory needs are not a single minimum for all models. Ollama’s 2026 Quickstart uses Gemma 4 E2B as an example: its download is about 7.2 GB, and Ollama recommends 8 GB of available VRAM, or unified memory on a Mac, for that model. This is guidance for that example, not a general requirement. Larger context windows need more memory. Ollama can use system RAM when available VRAM is lower, but responses may be slower. See the Ollama Quickstart.
Allow room for model files
Model downloads can take substantial disk space: Ollama’s Windows and macOS guides note that models may occupy tens to hundreds of gigabytes. Check free space before downloading. If the default location is too small, the guides describe how to change it; an external SSD is one optional way to add capacity, not a requirement. The Windows guide documents the OLLAMA_MODELS user environment variable, while the macOS guide explains its model-storage arrangement.
#1 Best Overall
- EVOLUTION AMD RYZEN AI MAX+ 395 MINI PC - GMKtec EVO-X2 is the next evolution in AI mini PC Ryzen Strix Halo series. Thanks to AMD Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) the core-count is effectively doubled, to 32 threads. Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has 64 MB of L3 cache and can boost up to 5.1 GHz, depending on the workload. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is currently rated as the "most powerful x86 APU" on the market for AI computing.
- AI NPU with XDNA 2 ARCHITECTURE - Powered by 16 “Zen 5” CPU cores, 50+ peak AI TOPS XDNA 2 NPU and a truly massive integrated GPU driven by 40 AMD RDNA 3.5 CUs, the Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 is a transformative upgrade and delivers a significant performance boost over the competition. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 excels in consumer AI workloads like the llama.cpp-powered application: LM Studio. Shaping up to be the must-have app for client LLM workloads, LM Studio allows users to locally run the latest language model without any technical knowledge required and unleash their creativity and productivity.
- AMD RADEON 8090S iGPU GAMING PC - The AMD Radeon RX 8060S offers all 40 CUs with up to 2.9 GHz graphics clock and uses the new RDNA 3.5 architecture. The powerful iGPU is positioned between an RTX 4060 and 4070 laptop GPU and therefore enables gaming in FHD at maximum details in most demanding games. The 8060S can also utilize the full 64GB pool, which is perfect for running LLMs such as Deepseek 32B, which runs comfortably on this machine.
- EIGHT CHANNEL LPDDR5X - LPDDR5X is a new ground breaking memory small form factor installed on-board. With blazing speeds up to to 8000MT/s, it runs 1.5x faster than the DDR5 SODIMMs; 90% better performance over DDR5 SODIMMs in video conferencing and photo editing; 30% better performance in productivity apps; 4% better performance in digital content workloads.
- QUAD SCREEN 8K DISPLAY SUPPORT - EVO-X2 AI Mini PC support 4-screen 4K/8K output via HDMI 2.1 (8K@60Hz), DisplayPort 1.4 (4K@60Hz), and dual USB 4 40Gbps Transfer speed (supporting PD3.0/DP1.4/DATA). Ideal for gaming, video editing, and multitasking, it provides expansive and crisp multi-display support.
How to install Ollama
macOS
- Confirm that your Mac runs macOS Sonoma 14 or newer.
- Download the macOS app from Ollama’s download page.
- Mount the DMG, then move Ollama to Applications, as described in the macOS installation guide.
Windows
- Confirm that you have Windows 10 version 22H2 or newer, Home or Pro.
- Download and run the Windows installer from Ollama’s download page.
- After installation, use the Ollama CLI in Command Prompt, PowerShell, or another terminal. Ollama runs in the background and serves its local API at
http://localhost:11434.
If you want GPU acceleration, check the current Windows compatibility guidance for your card and driver. The NVIDIA driver version listed there is specific to the documented Windows setup; AMD support uses documented ROCm and Vulkan paths and should not be assumed for every GPU.
Linux
- Open a terminal and run the installation command from Ollama’s Linux guide:
curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh. - Start the server with
ollama serveif it is not already running. - Verify the CLI installation with
ollama -v.
The Linux guide also covers optional GPU setup and configuring a systemd service for a background server.
Rank #2
- 97 TOPS AI SUPERCHARGED PERFORMANCE – BUILT FOR THE AI ERA --- Powered by the next-gen Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor (up to 4.50GHz) built on TSMC’s advanced 3nm N3B process, the K17 delivers an incredible 97 TOPS of total AI performance (40 TOPS NPU + 53 TOPS GPU). Unlike traditional systems that rely solely on CPU/GPU, this triple AI architecture enables real-time local AI processing, faster inference, and smoother multitasking—perfect for AI assistants, local LLMs, content generation, and intelligent workflows without cloud dependency.
- INTEL ARC 130V GRAPHICS – DISCRETE-CLASS POWER, NO GPU REQUIRED --- Experience next-level integrated graphics with the Intel Arc 130V GPU (up to 1.85GHz), delivering up to 53 TOPS AI compute and supporting hardware ray tracing, XeSS AI upscaling, and AV1 encoding. Compared to previous-gen iGPUs, performance is massively improved, enabling smooth AAA gaming, 4K video editing, and real-time rendering—bringing desktop-class graphics power into a compact, energy-efficient mini PC.
- DEDICATED NPU – TRUE LOCAL AI, FASTER & MORE SECURE --- Equipped with Intel AI Boost NPU delivering 40 TOPS of dedicated AI acceleration, the K17 handles AI workloads independently without consuming CPU/GPU resources. From AI noise cancellation and real-time translation to local model deployment and generative AI tasks, enjoy faster response times, lower power consumption, and enhanced data privacy with fully local processing.
- LPDDR5X 8533 MT/s HIGH-BANDWIDTH MEMORY – BUILT FOR HEAVY MULTITASKING --- Featuring 16GB LPDDR5X onboard memory running at blazing 8533MT/s, the K17 provides ultra-high bandwidth for demanding workloads. Compared to traditional DDR4 systems, it ensures faster data throughput, smoother multitasking, and stable large-model loading—ideal for AI applications, creative software, and multi-window productivity without lag.
- DUAL M.2 SSD (GEN5 + GEN4) EXPANSION – UP TO 16TB MASSIVE STORAGE --- Designed for power users, the K17 supports dual M.2 2280 SSD slots (PCIe Gen5×4 + Gen4×2), enabling up to 16TB total storage (8TB×2). Experience ultra-fast read/write speeds for massive datasets, AI model storage, and 4K/8K media files—no more external drives or storage limitations, everything stays fast and accessible.
How to download a model and start chatting
Open a terminal and run:
ollama run gemma4:e2b
Ollama’s Quickstart uses Gemma 4 E2B as an example, not as a recommendation for every computer or use. The command downloads the model if needed and starts an interactive chat. As Ollama’s official Quickstart puts it, “Ollama downloads the model and starts a chat on your computer.”
Type your prompt at the chat prompt. To leave the interactive session, enter:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- 【Low Power for Always-On AI Workflows】At just 15W TDP, the GEEKOM A7 uses far less power than a traditional 350W desktop, helping reduce electricity costs, heat, and cooling noise during extended operation. That efficiency makes it ideal for keeping cloud AI assistants and AI Agent tasks running in the background—automating document summaries, email polishing, meeting notes, content rewriting, research, and scheduled workflows throughout the day. The energy savings can help recoup the device cost in about 1 year, making A7 a practical choice for 24/7 AI task hosting and efficient everyday computing.
- 【Ryzen 7 7730U – More Than a Low-Power PC】Think low power means less performance? Not here. The Ryzen 7 7730U mini computer packs 8 cores, 16 threads, and up to 4.5GHz, giving you the power to handle multitasking, dozens of tabs, video calls, and creative work smoothly. AMD Radeon Graphics supports 4K playback, multi-display work, photo editing, and casual gaming without a dedicated GPU. Compared with the Ryzen 7 5825U and Ryzen 5 7430U, it delivers up to 20% higher performance for faster response and smoother everyday computing—all in a compact, energy-efficient Mini desktop.
- 【Lock In More Memory Before It Costs More】32GB gives you the headroom most demanding tasks need today—and room to grow tomorrow. Built for heavy multitasking, content creation, large projects, and AI-assisted workloads, the GEEKOM mini pc starts you with twice the memory of a typical 16GB setup, so you can skip an immediate upgrade. With AI driving greater demand for memory, starting with 32GB is a smarter way to stay ready for what’s next. The 500GB PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD delivers fast storage, with support for up to 64GB RAM and 4TB SSD storage when you need more.
- 【Premium Metal Design & 3-Year Warranty】Why settle for plastic? The GEEKOM mini desktop features a premium aluminum alloy chassis that resists daily wear and helps dissipate heat during extended use. Rigorous quality testing and CE, FCC, and RoHS compliance support dependable performance, backed by a 3-year limited warranty and professional support for long-term peace of mind.
- 【One Mini PC, All Your Ports】Stay connected with dual USB-C ports, 5 USB 3.2 ports, dual HDMI 2.0, and a 2.5G LAN port for fast, flexible connectivity. The USB-C ports support high-speed data transfer, display output, and peripheral power, while Wi-Fi 6E keeps streaming, file transfers, and online work fast and reliable. From multiple peripherals to high-resolution displays, everything you need stays within easy reach.
/bye
For a different model, use its name and tag in the ollama run command, following that model’s listing and requirements. Check the download size and memory needs before starting a large download.
How to connect an app to Ollama
When Ollama is running locally, its API base URL is http://localhost:11434/api. Local API requests do not need an API key. For example, the Quickstart demonstrates a chat request at /api/chat:
Rank #4
- EVOLUTION AMD RYZEN AI MAX+ 395 MINI PC - GMKtec EVO-X2 is the next evolution in AI mini PC Ryzen Strix Halo series. Thanks to AMD Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) the core-count is effectively doubled, to 32 threads. Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has 64 MB of L3 cache and can boost up to 5.1 GHz, depending on the workload. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is currently rated as the "most powerful x86 APU" on the market for AI computing.
- AI NPU with XDNA 2 ARCHITECTURE - Powered by 16 “Zen 5” CPU cores, 50+ peak AI TOPS XDNA 2 NPU and a truly massive integrated GPU driven by 40 AMD RDNA 3.5 CUs, the Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 is a transformative upgrade and delivers a significant performance boost over the competition. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 excels in consumer AI workloads like the llama.cpp-powered application: LM Studio. Shaping up to be the must-have app for client LLM workloads, LM Studio allows users to locally run the latest language model without any technical knowledge required and unleash their creativity and productivity.
- AMD RADEON 8090S iGPU GAMING PC - The AMD Radeon RX 8060S offers all 40 CUs with up to 2.9 GHz graphics clock and uses the new RDNA 3.5 architecture. The powerful iGPU is positioned between an RTX 4060 and 4070 laptop GPU and therefore enables gaming in FHD at maximum details in most demanding games. The 8060S can also utilize the full 64GB pool, which is perfect for running LLMs such as Deepseek 32B, which runs comfortably on this machine.
- EIGHT CHANNEL LPDDR5X - LPDDR5X is a new ground breaking memory small form factor installed on-board. With blazing speeds up to to 8000MT/s, it runs 1.5x faster than the DDR5 SODIMMs; 90% better performance over DDR5 SODIMMs in video conferencing and photo editing; 30% better performance in productivity apps; 4% better performance in digital content workloads.
- QUAD SCREEN 8K DISPLAY SUPPORT - EVO-X2 AI Mini PC support 4-screen 4K/8K output via HDMI 2.1 (8K@60Hz), DisplayPort 1.4 (4K@60Hz), and dual USB 4 40Gbps Transfer speed (supporting PD3.0/DP1.4/DATA). Ideal for gaming, video editing, and multitasking, it provides expansive and crisp multi-display support.
curl http://localhost:11434/api/chat -d '{
"model": "gemma4:e2b",
"messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Why is the sky blue?"}]
}'This example assumes the Ollama server is running and the named model is available locally; the first run can download it. See the Quickstart API example and API introduction.
Compatibility endpoints
Ollama also documents OpenAI-compatible endpoints at http://localhost:11434/v1 and compatibility for Anthropic clients over localhost. Use the endpoint and request format documented for the client you are integrating; compatibility does not mean every client feature behaves identically.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Local API versus cloud API
A local request goes to the Ollama service on your computer. Hosted cloud API requests instead use Ollama’s cloud endpoint and require an API key. Do not assume a request is local if you select a cloud model or direct an app to a cloud endpoint. The distinction and base URLs are documented in Ollama’s API introduction.
Quick Recap
Common setup snags
- The CLI cannot connect: On Linux, start
ollama serveif the server is not already running. On Windows, the installer runs Ollama in the background. Check that the service is available before retrying a local API request. - The model download fails or fills the drive: Confirm you have enough free space for the model files. If needed, follow your platform guide to change the model storage location.
- Generation is slower than expected: Available VRAM, system RAM, model size, and context size affect what can run comfortably. Ollama may use system RAM when VRAM is limited; this can mean slower responses.
- GPU acceleration is unavailable: Verify the OS, GPU, and driver combination against Ollama’s current platform guide rather than assuming a card is supported because it is sold as a GPU.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
