Running a language model locally means the model files live on your own computer and every answer is computed there. Nothing you type leaves the machine, which is the main reason people try it.
What you need
The limiting factor is memory. Smaller models run on a recent laptop with plenty of RAM; larger ones need a graphics card with a lot of video memory. Free tools now handle downloading, updating and starting models with a few clicks.
Where the cloud still wins
Hosted models are larger, faster on long tasks and updated constantly. A sensible split is local models for private notes and drafts, and cloud tools when quality matters more than privacy.
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