Which AI models run on a Mac with 16 GB?
20 of Toskar's 21 models run on a Mac with 16 GB, and 18 of them run comfortably. Base MacBook Air, Mac mini, and iMac models since late 2024, and many earlier ones with more memory.
Start here
The best model for each job
The largest model of each kind that runs comfortably on this computer.
Everyday chat and writing
Qwen 2.5 14BLargest curated quality pick when your machine has headroom.
Coding
Qwen 2.5 Coder 14BExcellent programming model for larger refactors and multi-file work.
Pictures and screenshots
Qwen 3.5 9BStrong everyday assistant that also sees pictures.
Step-by-step reasoning
DeepSeek R1 Distill 7BStronger reasoning for analysis and multi-step problems.
Every model on this computer
Graded with Toskar 1.12.1's own estimate: the model file plus working memory at an 8K context.
Excellent fitPlenty of memory to spare.
- Qwen 2.5 14B≈ 10.2 GB
- Qwen 2.5 Coder 14B≈ 9.7 GB
- Qwen 3.5 9B≈ 7.2 GB
- Gemma 2 9B≈ 6.5 GB
- Qwen 2.5 VL 7B≈ 6.1 GB
- Qwen 2.5 Coder 7B≈ 5.3 GB
- Qwen 2.5 7B≈ 5.3 GB
- DeepSeek R1 Distill 7B≈ 5.3 GB
- Mistral 7B Instruct≈ 5.0 GB
- Qwen 3.5 4B≈ 3.9 GB
- Gemma 3 4B≈ 3.9 GB
- Phi 3.5 Mini≈ 3.0 GB
- Llama 3.2 3B≈ 2.6 GB
- Qwen 2.5 3B≈ 2.5 GB
- Gemma 2 2B≈ 2.2 GB
- Qwen 2.5 Coder 1.5B≈ 1.6 GB
- DeepSeek R1 Distill 1.5B≈ 1.6 GB
- Llama 3.2 1B≈ 1.3 GB
May run slowlyMay need swap or a shorter context.
- Qwen 3.8 27B≈ 20.4 GB
- Muse Glimmer 30B≈ 17.1 GB
Too big for this computer: Qwen 2.5 32B. A paired computer with more memory can run them for you.
Questions
- What's the best local AI model for a Mac with 16 GB?
- For everyday use, start with Qwen 2.5 14B: it's the largest of its kind that runs comfortably here. For coding, try Qwen 2.5 Coder 14B. For pictures and screenshots, try Qwen 3.5 9B. For step-by-step reasoning, try DeepSeek R1 Distill 7B.
- How big a model can a Mac with 16 GB run?
- The largest that runs is Qwen 3.8 27B, at about 20.4 GB; the largest that runs comfortably is Qwen 2.5 14B, at about 10.2 GB. Memory decides it: the model and the conversation have to fit, with room left for everything else you have open.
- Do I need a graphics card?
- No. On a Mac with Apple silicon the graphics share the Mac's memory, so every model below uses it to answer quickly.
- Does it cost anything to run these models?
- No. Toskar Core is free and open source, and the models download at no cost. Everything runs on your own computer, so there's no subscription and no per-question bill.
Other computers
Mac with Apple silicon
PC with a graphics card
Run them with Toskar
Toskar Core is free and open source for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It suggests the models that fit your computer, downloads them for you, and keeps every question on your computer.