To use DeepSeek without sending prompts to a cloud service, download a DeepSeek model and run it locally with an inference app such as LM Studio or Ollama. This is different from using DeepSeek’s hosted assistant: local inference processes prompts on your computer, while a hosted service receives them for processing. For a stricter offline boundary, download the model first, disable integrations, and block outbound network access while you work.
Hosted DeepSeek and local DeepSeek are different
“DeepSeek” can mean the company’s hosted assistant or downloadable model weights. DeepSeek’s download page offers its consumer assistant and DeepSeek Harness desktop downloads; it does not describe the assistant as a local, offline model runner. Separately, DeepSeek says it releases model weights, parameters, and inference tool code for users to download and deploy. Those files can be run on your own computer using a local inference app.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
GMKtec EVO-X2 AI Mini PC Ryzen Al Max+ 395 Superchip 128GB LPDDR5X 2TB SSD | $3,649.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
GMKtec Gaming PC Mini AI Desktop Computer Intel Core Ultra 5 226V 16GB DDR5 | $549.98 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
When you send a prompt to DeepSeek’s hosted Services, the company’s privacy policy says it may collect prompts, uploaded files, photos, chat history, device identifiers, IP addresses, diagnostic and performance data, and other information. The policy identifies Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co., Ltd. as the provider and controller, says personal data may be processed and stored in China, and cautions users not to provide sensitive personal data. DeepSeek also says its Services are not designed or intended to process sensitive personal data.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Set up a DeepSeek model to run locally
- Choose the model variant. Check the exact model’s files and license before downloading. DeepSeek’s model disclosure describes public releases of weights, parameters, and inference code under the MIT License. If you use a third-party quantized version, check its license and source separately.
- Install a local inference app. LM Studio’s documentation describes downloading and running DeepSeek R1 locally on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Ollama is another option; its policy distinguishes local model operation from its cloud-hosted models.
- Download the model files. Get them from a source you trust and let the runner finish downloading before using sensitive material. The files must be on your computer for local inference. If you need the workflow to work without a network connection, plan to download them before going offline.
- Select the local model explicitly. In the app, confirm that the chosen model and backend are local, not a hosted model or provider. Avoid external tools and integrations unless you have checked how they handle data.
- Test the workflow without sensitive material. Confirm that the model responds as expected, and check which integrations are enabled. For a strict no-network requirement, disconnect the computer or block outbound traffic after setup, then confirm that the functions you need still work.
Keep the whole workflow inside the privacy boundary
Local inference keeps the model’s prompt processing on your computer, but it does not automatically make every part of an AI workflow offline. Downloads require a connection unless you transfer the files another way. A web search, plugin, external model provider, MCP server, or other invoked service may send data outside the device. LM Studio documents local model endpoints that can be served locally or on a network, as well as MCP server support. DeepSeek Harness’s surfaced processing statement warns that external models, web tools, MCP services, plugins, and other invoked services can upload data.
#1 Best Overall
- EVOLUTION 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 128GB pool, which is perfect for running LLMs such as Deepseek 70B Q8, 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; 12% 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.
- Disable integrations you do not need, especially web access, plugins, and external model connections.
- Do not expose a local endpoint to an untrusted network. A locally running model can still be reachable by other devices if you configure it that way.
- If your requirement is that no data leave the computer, block outbound network access after downloading the runner and model. Treat this as a practical safeguard, not a vendor audit or guarantee about your specific installation.
- Remember that other software on the computer may have its own network connections; local model inference alone does not control those.
Ollama’s privacy policy states: “We do not collect, store, transmit, or have access to your prompts, responses, model interactions, or other content you process locally.” That statement is specifically about content processed locally in Ollama. It is not an independent verification of every app, plugin, model source, or network connection on your computer. The same policy says Ollama may collect limited device and usage metadata and distinguishes cloud-hosted models from local use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check whether your computer can run the model
Local inference requires a computer that can store the model files and run them. LM Studio lists support for Apple Silicon Macs, x64 and ARM64 Windows PCs, and x64 Linux PCs. The official materials cited here do not establish a verified minimum for RAM, GPU, VRAM, or storage for the models discussed. Resource needs vary with model variant, quantization, context length, and runtime, so check the documentation for the specific files you intend to run rather than assuming a particular laptop will be sufficient.
Quick Recap
Rank #2
- AI MINI PC WORKSTATION - Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V (3.50GHz base, 4.50GHz boost) with a dedicated 97 total TOPS (47 NPU + 64 GPU), this mini PC outperforms the Core i5 14450HX, Ryzen 7 6800H in real-world AI tasks; the K17 AI local workstation enables real-time generative AI tasks without the cloud on Gemma-4-E4B & E2B—supporting text generation, code completion, summarization, intelligent chat, and data analysis directly on your edge device for enhanced privacy, zero latency, and offline capability.
- GAMING PC WITH INTEL ARC 130V GPU - Experience a quantum leap in integrated graphics with the Intel Arc 130V GPU (boosting up to 1.85GHz), which leaves the competition in the dust by delivering comparable or superior gaming and content creation performance while consuming up to 50% less power than leading rivals like the Radeon 890M—this groundbreaking efficiency means you get desktop-class discrete performance (rivaling the GTX 1650) in a silent, cool-running mini PC, with cutting-edge features like hardware ray tracing, XeSS AI upscaling, and full AV1 encoding support that competitors' integrated solutions simply can't match
- UPDATE DRIVERS - Intel Graphics Driver 32.0.101.8509 (WHQL Certified – Released 02/13/26) for Intel Arc 130V GPU delivers XeSS 3 Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) supporting up to 4× AI-based frame output; enhances gaming performance by 10% average FPS uplift and up to 25% improvement in 1% low (99th percentile) FPS for reduced stuttering across 9-game suite including Black Myth: Wukong (+13.8%), Fortnite S34 (+17.9%), DOTA 2 (+16.0%), PayDay 3 (+12.6%), *Counter-Strike 2* (+8.0%), and Cyberpunk 2077 (+6.1%); XeSS 3 MFG officially extended to Lunar Lake platform GPUs (Arc 130V and 140V) alongside Arc B/A Series discrete GPUs.
- WHY LPDDR5X IS BETTER THAN DDR5 - Equipped with 16GB of premium SK Hynix LPDDR5x memory running at an incredible 8533 MT/s, this mini PC delivers nearly 2x the bandwidth of standard SO-DIMM DDR5 (4800–5600 MT/s). The soldered, ultra-low-latency design reduces power draw and unlocks smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and significantly better iGPU gaming performance—especially on Intel Core Ultra integrated graphics—so you can game at higher settings and zip through creative workloads without stutter or slowdown.
- TRANSFORM YOUR WORKSPACE WITH TRIPLE 4K DISPLAY SUPPORT: Unleash unparalleled productivity by connecting three crystal-clear 4K monitors at 60Hz via DUAL HDMI 2.1 TMDS and USB4 port—effortlessly run stock tickers on one screen, complex spreadsheets on another, and video conferencing on the third, or dominate trading and financial modeling with real-time data sprawled across your entire field of view without any lag or stuttering.
What local use does—and does not—guarantee
- Downloaded weights let you run a model locally; they are not the same product or workflow as DeepSeek’s hosted assistant.
- Local processing can keep prompts on your computer when the runner is operating locally and no connected integration forwards them.
- Blocking network access after setup can help enforce an offline workflow, but you must account for enabled integrations and other software on the device.
- Local deployment does not guarantee accurate answers. DeepSeek’s model disclosure says it cannot guarantee the model will not hallucinate.
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.
