Can I Run Poolside Laguna XS 2.1 on Apple M5?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated August 15, 2026
Yes, but it's tight — Laguna XS 2.1 33B-A3B at Q4_K_M needs 22.6 GB at 8K context (19.9 GB weights + 2.7 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~1.4 GB of the Apple M5's 24 GB usable memory, at ~28 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 8K context.
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Apple M5 Specs
| VRAM | 32 GB unified memory |
| Memory Bandwidth | 153 GB/s |
Laguna XS 2.1 33B-A3B on the Apple M5: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 32 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 68.6 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 37.7 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 29.7 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q5_K_M | 26 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q4_K_M | 22.6 GB | ✓ Yes | 8K | — |
| Q3_K_M | 16.7 GB | ✓ Yes | 32K | — |
| Q2_K | 13.5 GB | ✓ Yes | 32K | — |
Assumes an 8K-token context with an f16 KV cache, on an estimated architecture — this model publishes no config we can read. A longer window needs more; a quantized KV cache needs less. “Max context” is the largest window that still fits in 32 GB of unified memory. Figures are estimates from parameter count, quantization and memory bandwidth — the analyzer lets you tune KV-cache quant and context.
Context costs VRAM too. At Q4_K_M on the Apple M5: 8K 22.6 GB · 32K 28.1 GB ✗ · 128K 50.3 GB ✗. Past 32K it no longer fits 32 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
No compatible GPU? Laguna XS 2.1 33B-A3B on 24 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs.
Poolside Laguna XS 2.1 Sizes That Fit the Apple M5 (at 8K context)
| Laguna XS 2.1 33B-A3B | Q4_K_M · 22.6 GB at 8K context · ~28 tok/s (est.) |
Poolside Laguna XS 2.1 needs ~23 GB but this GPU has 32 GB. Rent a RTX 4090 (24 GB)-class GPU by the hour instead of buying one:
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FAQ
Poolside Laguna XS 2.1 on the Apple M5 — does it fit?
Yes, but it's tight — Laguna XS 2.1 33B-A3B at Q4_K_M needs 22.6 GB at 8K context (19.9 GB weights + 2.7 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~1.4 GB of the Apple M5's 24 GB usable memory, at ~28 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 8K context.
Which Poolside Laguna XS 2.1 variant fits best on the Apple M5?
Laguna XS 2.1 33B-A3B at Q4_K_M quantization needs 22.6 GB at 8K context (19.9 GB weights + 2.7 GB KV cache/overhead), estimated ~28 tokens/sec, up to 8K context.
Poolside Laguna XS 2.1 on Other GPUs
- Poolside Laguna XS 2.1 on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- Poolside Laguna XS 2.1 on Apple M4
- Poolside Laguna XS 2.1 on Apple M2 Pro
- Poolside Laguna XS 2.1 on Apple M1 Pro
- Poolside Laguna XS 2.1 on Apple M3 Pro
Popular Models on the Apple M5
VRAM Tier
Troubleshooting
- Ollama: "model requires more system memory than is available"
- Which GGUF quant should I download? (Q4 vs Q5 vs Q8)
Buying Guide
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