Can Fara 1.5 9B run on MacBook Neo A18 Pro 8GB?
What this means
The checked Q4_K_M build needs about 7.7GB, above this Mac's conservative 5GB working budget.
Where the memory goes
| Component | Detail | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Model weights | Q4_K_M GGUF (5.9 GB) + mmap overhead | 6.2 |
| KV cache | 4K context window | 0.7 |
| Runtime | macOS inference app + compute buffers | 0.8 |
| Total needed | at Q4_K_M, 4K context | 7.7 |
| Working budget | 8 GB unified memory − conservative macOS reserve | 5 |
| Headroom | memory shortfall | −2.7 |
Pick your quant
| Quant | Download | Memory | Estimated speed | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2_K | 4.1 GB | 5.8 GB | — | ✕ Won't fit |
| Q3_K_M | 4.9 GB | 6.6 GB | — | ✕ Won't fit |
| IQ4_XS | 5.2 GB | 6.9 GB | — | ✕ Won't fit |
| Q4_0 | 5.5 GB | 7.2 GB | — | ✕ Won't fit |
| Q4_K_S | 5.6 GB | 7.3 GB | — | ✕ Won't fit |
| Q4_K_M ★ | 5.9 GB | 7.7 GB | — | ✕ Won't fit |
| Q5_K_M | 6.9 GB | 8.7 GB | — | ✕ Won't fit |
| Q6_K | 7.7 GB | 9.5 GB | — | ✕ Won't fit |
| Q8_0 | 9.5 GB | 11.4 GB | — | ✕ Won't fit |
Other models on this Mac
FAQ
Can the MacBook Neo A18 Pro · 8GB run Fara 1.5 9B?
Not with the quants currently tracked. The selected Q4_K_M build needs about 7.7GB, above the 5GB working budget.
Which Fara 1.5 9B quant should I use on this Mac?
None of the tracked quants fit this configuration safely. Choose a smaller model or a Mac with more unified memory.
Which app should I use for Fara 1.5 9B on this Mac?
Fara 1.5 9B is a task-specific model, not a normal local chat download. The selected weights do not fit this Mac, and the model also needs its publisher's intended workflow. This page links that repository and recommends Llama 3.2 3B if you just want local chat.
Are these speeds measured on a MacBook Neo A18 Pro?
No. The range is a formula estimate based on memory bandwidth, model size, active parameters, cooling, and a 4K context. The app, backend, thermals, and prompt can change real performance.