Offline computer
An offline survival computer, built on hardware you own
Project NOMAD is free software that turns a regular PC into an offline computer stocked with Wikipedia, world maps, medical references, and an optional AI assistant. Use a refurbished mini PC, an old desktop, or a gaming rig, and it keeps working with no internet.
Two ways to get an offline computer
You can buy a pre-loaded device: a small computer or drive that ships with a fixed set of content on it. That gets you something that works out of the box, and the price and hardware are set by whoever built it.
Or you can install Project NOMAD on a computer you pick. The software is free, so your money goes into the hardware. A bigger drive holds more of the library, and a better graphics card makes the AI faster. When you outgrow the machine, move to a new one.
We built Project NOMAD for the second way, and here is how the two compare.
Pre-loaded device or Project NOMAD
- Price
- Pre-loaded device: Typically $200 to $700
- Project NOMAD: Free. You supply the computer.
- Hardware
- Pre-loaded device: Fixed at purchase, often a Raspberry Pi or a preloaded drive
- Project NOMAD: Any x86 PC you choose, upgradeable any time
- Content updates
- Pre-loaded device: Varies by product
- Project NOMAD: Checks for newer content whenever it is online
- Local AI
- Pre-loaded device: None to small models, depending on the product
- Project NOMAD: Optional, GPU-accelerated on NVIDIA and AMD graphics
- Who can use it
- Pre-loaded device: Varies by product
- Project NOMAD: Every device on your local network, in a web browser
- Setup
- Pre-loaded device: Ready out of the box
- Project NOMAD: Two commands and a setup wizard, with an internet connection
- Source code
- Pre-loaded device: Usually closed
- Project NOMAD: Open source, Apache 2.0
The trade-off is setup. A pre-loaded device works the day it arrives. Project NOMAD needs some setup and an internet connection, and the install guide and video walk you through it.
Picking the computer
Project NOMAD runs on x86 PCs with Ubuntu or Debian Linux. A refurbished office mini PC with 16 GB of memory handles the library, maps, and courses, plus small AI models. A mini PC with AMD Radeon 780M or 890M graphics runs 3 to 8 billion parameter models with responsive performance, and a desktop with a dedicated NVIDIA card gives fast responses on larger models.
The hardware guide lays out all three with parts and prices, and community builds show what other people are running. If you only want the AI side, start with offline AI. For what the library holds, see offline internet.
Running it off-grid
A mini PC is a good fit for battery and solar power. We measured our portable build, the NOMAD Deck, on a 240 watt-hour power station that recharges from a 110 W solar panel. Idle, it ran almost 10 hours.
- Idle, serving the library~21 W
- Normal use, screen on~28 W
- Local AI generating nonstop~91 W
The NOMAD Deck build guide has the full parts list, the battery runtimes, and free 3D print files.
Offline computer questions
What is an offline survival computer?
A computer stocked with reference material, such as Wikipedia, maps, and medical guides, that keeps working with no internet connection. You can buy one pre-loaded, or you can install Project NOMAD on a PC you choose and get the same kind of library for free.
Can I use an old PC?
Yes, if it is an x86 PC that can run Ubuntu or Debian Linux. A refurbished office mini PC with 16 GB of memory is a good starting point for the library and small AI models. More memory and a dedicated graphics card make the AI faster.
Does it need the internet?
Only to set up. Installing Project NOMAD and downloading your content needs an internet connection. After that, everything runs offline, and every device on your local network can reach it in a web browser.
Can it run on solar or battery power?
Yes. A mini PC draws far less power than a desktop. Our portable build, the NOMAD Deck, measured about 21 watts idle and about 28 watts in normal use, and ran almost 10 hours idle on a 240 watt-hour battery that recharges from a solar panel.
How much storage do I need?
A starter library fits on almost any drive. The full English Wikipedia with images is about 125 GB, and a full library with maps, courses, and AI models is comfortable on a 1 TB drive.
Is Project NOMAD really free?
Yes. Project NOMAD is free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license, with no subscription and no telemetry. The only cost is the computer you run it on.