After years of experimenting with local large language models (LLMs) for web design and research, I finally found an all-around champion: ERNIE-4.5-21B-A3B-MLX-6bit, running on my Apple Studio M4 Max base model via LM Studio.
I discovered ERNIE 4.5 as a staff pick right inside LM Studio, so installation was quick and seamless. The leap in speed and capability is hard to exaggerate so for the first time ever, I deleted all my backup LLMs, including powerful models like Devstral-Small-2505-MLX-4bit, Magistral-Small-2506-MLX-4bit and Qwen3-30B-A3B-MLX-4bit.
Instant, Unmatched AI Responsiveness
On the Mac Studio M4 Max, ERNIE 4.5 Q6 feels virtually instantaneous in every workflow—streamlining web design brainstorming, copywriting, and research. This model’s ability to deliver answers with near-zero latency is remarkable, and it feels like a leap forward compared to prior local LLMs.
The Mac Studio with M4 Max is purpose-built for intensive workloads, boasting up to a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, and a Neural Engine vastly outperforming earlier M-series chips. Its silent thermal performance and compact desktop fit further set it apart from other machines in the lineup.
A Setup for Productivity and Accessibility
Today, my personal stack is focused and efficient. I run just two local LLMs:
- ERNIE-4.5-21B-A3B-MLX-6bit (Q6 quantization): My daily driver for content creation, design, programming and research.
- orpheus-3b-ft.gguf Q8: A compact, 4.03GB model running with Orpheus TTM FastAPI for audio-based interactions. This is particularly valuable for me on days when a left-hand tremor makes typing difficult; voice AI support is a game-changer for accessibility.
Orpheus TTM FastAPI Demo
This audio sample demonstrates how Orpheus Text-to-Speech FastAPI enables voice interactions, providing valuable accessibility support for users who find typing difficult.
Why ERNIE 4.5 Q6 Wins for Mac Mini & Studio Users
If you use a Mac Mini or Mac Studio (especially an M4 Max), ERNIE 4.5 Q6 is an ideal match for these reasons:
- Blazing AI performance: The M4 Max’s unified memory and Neural Engine accelerate local AI tasks—enabling ERNIE 4.5 to respond instantly and handle demanding requests.
- Extremely versatile: Top-tier for web development, blog writing, programming and research, with no cloud dependency.
- Silent, reliable desktop: The Mac Studio M4 Max delivers workstation-class performance without distracting fan noise or heat—even under sustained AI workloads.
- Simplified workflow: With ERNIE 4.5 Q6, I minimized my local LLMs to just what truly works.
The Bottom Line
I never thought I’d find an AI assistant worth deleting all my backups for. Since switching from Linux to macOS, I’ve discovered that Apple’s powerful hardware combined with macOS’s seamless integration offers a significant step up in performance and user experience.
ERNIE 4.5 Q6 not only exceeded my expectations for speed and usefulness, but also lets me work—and even interact by voice—without compromise. For fellow Mac users who value performance, privacy, and accessibility, this could be your next local LLM.
P.S. This article was co-written by Ernie. Thanks for reading!