> ## Documentation Index
>
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://lithi.ai/llms.txt
>
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What could your Mac earn?

Choose your Mac, available hours and electricity price to explore an earnings illustration. Start with one personal Mac or calculate several Macs together.

Choose your Mac and its available hours to see what it could earn.

## Estimated earnings by Mac type

The estimator gives each Mac a starting figure, scales it by the hours you make the Mac available and takes off estimated electricity. Each figure assumes 12 available hours a day (360 hours in a 30-day month) and electricity at $0.1835 per kWh, the US average residential price, June 2026 (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.3). It is in US dollars, after estimated electricity and before tax. These are illustrative planning figures, not promised work or pay.

### By Mac family

| Mac family | Chip and memory options | Estimated per month at 12 h a day | Over 12 months at 12 h a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air | 11 | $41.83–$65.65 | $501.96–$787.80 |
| MacBook Pro | 40 | $52.60–$195.10 | $631.20–$2,341.20 |
| Mac mini | 17 | $48.80–$127.60 | $585.60–$1,531.20 |
| Mac Studio | 24 | $172.34–$285.73 | $2,068.08–$3,428.76 |
| iMac | 6 | $54.45–$76.95 | $653.40–$923.40 |

### Every Mac the estimator covers

| Mac | Chip | Memory | Starting figure per 240 available hours | Before electricity at 12 h a day | Electricity at 12 h a day | Estimated per month at 12 h a day | Over 12 months at 12 h a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air | M1 | 16GB | $30.00 | $45.00 | $1.59 | $43.41 | $520.92 |
| MacBook Air | M2 | 16GB | $30.00 | $45.00 | $1.85 | $43.15 | $517.80 |
| MacBook Air | M2 | 24GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $1.85 | $58.15 | $697.80 |
| MacBook Air | M3 | 16GB | $30.00 | $45.00 | $1.85 | $43.15 | $517.80 |
| MacBook Air | M3 | 24GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $1.85 | $58.15 | $697.80 |
| MacBook Air | M4 | 16GB | $30.00 | $45.00 | $1.85 | $43.15 | $517.80 |
| MacBook Air | M4 | 24GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $1.85 | $58.15 | $697.80 |
| MacBook Air | M4 | 32GB | $45.00 | $67.50 | $1.85 | $65.65 | $787.80 |
| MacBook Air | M5 | 16GB | $30.00 | $45.00 | $3.17 | $41.83 | $501.96 |
| MacBook Air | M5 | 24GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $3.17 | $56.83 | $681.96 |
| MacBook Air | M5 | 32GB | $45.00 | $67.50 | $3.17 | $64.33 | $771.96 |
| MacBook Pro | M1 | 16GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $7.40 | $52.60 | $631.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M2 | 16GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $7.40 | $52.60 | $631.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M2 | 24GB | $50.00 | $75.00 | $7.40 | $67.60 | $811.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M1 Pro | 16GB | $65.00 | $97.50 | $7.40 | $90.10 | $1,081.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M1 Pro | 32GB | $80.00 | $120.00 | $7.40 | $112.60 | $1,351.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M1 Max | 32GB | $105.00 | $157.50 | $7.40 | $150.10 | $1,801.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M1 Max | 64GB | $120.00 | $180.00 | $7.40 | $172.60 | $2,071.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M2 Pro | 16GB | $65.00 | $97.50 | $7.40 | $90.10 | $1,081.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M2 Pro | 32GB | $80.00 | $120.00 | $7.40 | $112.60 | $1,351.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M2 Max | 32GB | $105.00 | $157.50 | $7.40 | $150.10 | $1,801.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M2 Max | 64GB | $120.00 | $180.00 | $7.40 | $172.60 | $2,071.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M2 Max | 96GB | $130.00 | $195.00 | $7.40 | $187.60 | $2,251.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M3 Pro | 18GB | $70.00 | $105.00 | $7.40 | $97.60 | $1,171.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M3 Pro | 36GB | $85.00 | $127.50 | $7.40 | $120.10 | $1,441.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M3 Max | 36GB | $110.00 | $165.00 | $7.40 | $157.60 | $1,891.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M3 Max | 48GB | $115.00 | $172.50 | $7.40 | $165.10 | $1,981.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M3 Max | 64GB | $120.00 | $180.00 | $7.40 | $172.60 | $2,071.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M3 Max | 96GB | $130.00 | $195.00 | $7.40 | $187.60 | $2,251.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M3 Max | 128GB | $135.00 | $202.50 | $7.40 | $195.10 | $2,341.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M3 | 16GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $7.40 | $52.60 | $631.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M3 | 24GB | $50.00 | $75.00 | $7.40 | $67.60 | $811.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M4 Pro | 24GB | $75.00 | $112.50 | $7.40 | $105.10 | $1,261.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M4 Pro | 48GB | $90.00 | $135.00 | $7.40 | $127.60 | $1,531.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M4 Max | 36GB | $110.00 | $165.00 | $7.40 | $157.60 | $1,891.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M4 Max | 48GB | $115.00 | $172.50 | $7.40 | $165.10 | $1,981.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M4 Max | 64GB | $120.00 | $180.00 | $7.40 | $172.60 | $2,071.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M4 Max | 128GB | $135.00 | $202.50 | $7.40 | $195.10 | $2,341.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M4 | 16GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $7.40 | $52.60 | $631.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M4 | 24GB | $50.00 | $75.00 | $7.40 | $67.60 | $811.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M4 | 32GB | $55.00 | $82.50 | $7.40 | $75.10 | $901.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M5 | 16GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $7.40 | $52.60 | $631.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M5 | 24GB | $50.00 | $75.00 | $7.40 | $67.60 | $811.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M5 | 32GB | $55.00 | $82.50 | $7.40 | $75.10 | $901.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M5 Pro | 24GB | $75.00 | $112.50 | $7.40 | $105.10 | $1,261.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M5 Pro | 48GB | $90.00 | $135.00 | $7.40 | $127.60 | $1,531.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M5 Pro | 64GB | $95.00 | $142.50 | $7.40 | $135.10 | $1,621.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M5 Max | 36GB | $110.00 | $165.00 | $7.40 | $157.60 | $1,891.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M5 Max | 48GB | $115.00 | $172.50 | $7.40 | $165.10 | $1,981.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M5 Max | 64GB | $120.00 | $180.00 | $7.40 | $172.60 | $2,071.20 |
| MacBook Pro | M5 Max | 128GB | $135.00 | $202.50 | $7.40 | $195.10 | $2,341.20 |
| Mac mini | M4 | 16GB | $35.00 | $52.50 | $3.44 | $49.06 | $588.72 |
| Mac mini | M4 | 24GB | $45.00 | $67.50 | $3.44 | $64.06 | $768.72 |
| Mac mini | M4 | 32GB | $50.00 | $75.00 | $3.44 | $71.56 | $858.72 |
| Mac mini | M4 Pro | 24GB | $70.00 | $105.00 | $7.40 | $97.60 | $1,171.20 |
| Mac mini | M4 Pro | 48GB | $85.00 | $127.50 | $7.40 | $120.10 | $1,441.20 |
| Mac mini | M4 Pro | 64GB | $90.00 | $135.00 | $7.40 | $127.60 | $1,531.20 |
| Mac mini | M1 | 16GB | $35.00 | $52.50 | $2.06 | $50.44 | $605.28 |
| Mac mini | M2 | 16GB | $35.00 | $52.50 | $2.64 | $49.86 | $598.32 |
| Mac mini | M2 | 24GB | $45.00 | $67.50 | $2.64 | $64.86 | $778.32 |
| Mac mini | M2 Pro | 16GB | $60.00 | $90.00 | $5.28 | $84.72 | $1,016.64 |
| Mac mini | M2 Pro | 32GB | $75.00 | $112.50 | $5.28 | $107.22 | $1,286.64 |
| Mac mini | M5 Pro | 24GB | $70.00 | $105.00 | $7.66 | $97.34 | $1,168.08 |
| Mac mini | M5 Pro | 48GB | $85.00 | $127.50 | $7.66 | $119.84 | $1,438.08 |
| Mac mini | M5 Pro | 64GB | $90.00 | $135.00 | $7.66 | $127.34 | $1,528.08 |
| Mac mini | M6 | 16GB | $35.00 | $52.50 | $3.70 | $48.80 | $585.60 |
| Mac mini | M6 | 24GB | $45.00 | $67.50 | $3.70 | $63.80 | $765.60 |
| Mac mini | M6 | 32GB | $50.00 | $75.00 | $3.70 | $71.30 | $855.60 |
| Mac Studio | M1 Max | 32GB | $120.00 | $180.00 | $6.08 | $173.92 | $2,087.04 |
| Mac Studio | M1 Max | 64GB | $135.00 | $202.50 | $6.08 | $196.42 | $2,357.04 |
| Mac Studio | M1 Ultra | 64GB | $155.00 | $232.50 | $11.36 | $221.14 | $2,653.68 |
| Mac Studio | M1 Ultra | 128GB | $170.00 | $255.00 | $11.36 | $243.64 | $2,923.68 |
| Mac Studio | M2 Max | 32GB | $120.00 | $180.00 | $7.66 | $172.34 | $2,068.08 |
| Mac Studio | M2 Max | 64GB | $135.00 | $202.50 | $7.66 | $194.84 | $2,338.08 |
| Mac Studio | M2 Max | 96GB | $145.00 | $217.50 | $7.66 | $209.84 | $2,518.08 |
| Mac Studio | M2 Ultra | 64GB | $155.00 | $232.50 | $15.59 | $216.91 | $2,602.92 |
| Mac Studio | M2 Ultra | 128GB | $170.00 | $255.00 | $15.59 | $239.41 | $2,872.92 |
| Mac Studio | M2 Ultra | 192GB | $180.00 | $270.00 | $15.59 | $254.41 | $3,052.92 |
| Mac Studio | M3 Ultra | 96GB | $165.00 | $247.50 | $14.27 | $233.23 | $2,798.76 |
| Mac Studio | M3 Ultra | 256GB | $185.00 | $277.50 | $14.27 | $263.23 | $3,158.76 |
| Mac Studio | M3 Ultra | 512GB | $200.00 | $300.00 | $14.27 | $285.73 | $3,428.76 |
| Mac Studio | M4 Max | 36GB | $125.00 | $187.50 | $7.66 | $179.84 | $2,158.08 |
| Mac Studio | M4 Max | 48GB | $130.00 | $195.00 | $7.66 | $187.34 | $2,248.08 |
| Mac Studio | M4 Max | 64GB | $135.00 | $202.50 | $7.66 | $194.84 | $2,338.08 |
| Mac Studio | M4 Max | 128GB | $150.00 | $225.00 | $7.66 | $217.34 | $2,608.08 |
| Mac Studio | M5 Max | 36GB | $125.00 | $187.50 | $10.57 | $176.93 | $2,123.16 |
| Mac Studio | M5 Max | 48GB | $130.00 | $195.00 | $10.57 | $184.43 | $2,213.16 |
| Mac Studio | M5 Max | 64GB | $135.00 | $202.50 | $10.57 | $191.93 | $2,303.16 |
| Mac Studio | M5 Max | 128GB | $150.00 | $225.00 | $10.57 | $214.43 | $2,573.16 |
| Mac Studio | M5 Ultra | 96GB | $165.00 | $247.50 | $20.35 | $227.15 | $2,725.80 |
| Mac Studio | M5 Ultra | 256GB | $185.00 | $277.50 | $20.35 | $257.15 | $3,085.80 |
| Mac Studio | M5 Ultra | 512GB | $200.00 | $300.00 | $20.35 | $279.65 | $3,355.80 |
| iMac | M1 | 16GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $4.44 | $55.56 | $666.72 |
| iMac | M3 | 16GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $4.49 | $55.51 | $666.12 |
| iMac | M3 | 24GB | $50.00 | $75.00 | $4.49 | $70.51 | $846.12 |
| iMac | M4 | 16GB | $40.00 | $60.00 | $5.55 | $54.45 | $653.40 |
| iMac | M4 | 24GB | $50.00 | $75.00 | $5.55 | $69.45 | $833.40 |
| iMac | M4 | 32GB | $55.00 | $82.50 | $5.55 | $76.95 | $923.40 |

### How available hours change the estimate

| MacBook Air · M4 · 16GB | Hours a month | Estimated per month | Over 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 hours a day | 120 | $14.38 | $172.56 |
| 8 hours a day | 240 | $28.77 | $345.24 |
| 12 hours a day | 360 | $43.15 | $517.80 |
| 24 hours a day | 720 | $86.30 | $1,035.60 |

### More than one Mac

10 × Mac mini · M4 · 16GB at 12 hours a day: $525.00 before electricity, $34.40 of electricity, and an estimated $490.60 a month, or $5,887.20 over 12 months.

### How the estimate is worked out

| Step | MacBook Air · M4 · 16GB |
|---|---|
| Starting figure | $30.00 for 240 available hours |
| Available hours | 12 hours a day × 30 days = 360 hours a month |
| Before electricity | $30.00 × 360 ÷ 240 = $45.00 |
| Electricity | 28 W × 360 hours = 10.08 kWh × $0.1835 = $1.85 |
| Estimated per month | $45.00 − $1.85 = $43.15 |
| Over 12 months | $43.15 × 12 = $517.80 |

- **Starting figure:** Lithi's planning figure for each Mac, chip and memory, for 240 available hours. It scales with the hours you choose. It is an illustration, not a measured rate.
- **Electricity:** 80% of the stated power reference, times the available hours and the electricity price. Desktop Macs use Apple's measured maximum CPU power; MacBook Pro uses the broad family adapter bound, independent of the selected model or chip, including charging (an illustrative bound, not measured working draw); other notebooks use Apple's applicable bundled-adapter rating, including charging (an illustrative bound, not measured working draw) ([Apple's figure for the MacBook Air](https://support.apple.com/en-us/122209)).
- **Electricity price:** $0.1835 per kWh, the [US average residential price, June 2026 (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.3)](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=table_5_03). Use your own price in the estimator.
- **Month:** 30 days. Over 12 months is the monthly figure times 12. Taxes are not deducted.

[Estimate what your Mac could earn](/connect/docs/estimate-earnings) explains each figure and how to ask your AI agent for an estimate.

## When work stays local, so do the earnings.

When it can, Lithi gives work to approved Macs near the business that sent it, so your Mac can help businesses in your area.

Lithi sets aside 50% of eligible revenue for the Macs that did the work, once the work is accepted and the customer has paid. When those Macs are near the customer, that money is earned by people and businesses in the same community.

That share is split among all the Macs that helped. What your Mac earns depends on how often it’s available and how much accepted work it helps complete.

### 50% — Mac owners’ share

Of eligible revenue, once the work is accepted and the customer has paid. It’s shared among the Macs that did the work, so it isn’t what any one Mac earns.

### 0 — Liters of cooling water

Macs are air-cooled, so they need no water to keep cool while they work. This doesn’t count water used elsewhere, such as in making electricity.

## Where the rest of the revenue goes

You don't find customers, bill them or chase payments. Lithi does that with its share, so the pool can grow as more customers join.

- Mac providers: 50%. Shared by the Macs that helped complete accepted work.
- Mac invites: Up to 5%. 10% of what an invited Mac earns, paid from Lithi's share, not from the pool.
- Running and growing Lithi: The rest. Finding and billing customers, routing and checking every task, support and payouts, and advertising that brings in more customers.

When an eligible introduction brought the customer, that payment also comes from Lithi's share, not from the pool.

Each period's earnings statement shows your Mac's share of the pool for the accepted work it helped complete, after the customer has paid.

## How one job becomes earnings.

### 01. How big is the job?

**Example:** 50,000 translations: about 135 million tokens to write

5,000 documents, each into 10 languages. The customer’s Compute Kit counts it all in tokens, the small pieces of words and data AI reads and writes. Text, scans, audio and video each have their own counting rule, so the same file always gives the same count.

### 02. What does the customer approve?

**Example:** A quote and a 48-hour deadline

Because every token is counted first, the customer sees the whole price before anything runs, and approves it. The last 2 hours are kept for checks and return.

### 03. How fast does one Mac work?

**Example:** About 25 tokens a second, or about 33 translations an hour

It depends on the Mac and the language.

### 04. How many Mac-hours does it take?

**Example:** About 1,950 Mac-hours

1,500 hours of translation, plus 30% spare for checks and for Macs that go offline.

### 05. Which Macs do the work?

**Example:** About 43 at once, nearby where possible

Lithi spreads the 1,950 Mac-hours over the 46 working hours, using approved Macs near the customer when it can. Change the deadline above: the Mac-hours stay the same, and only the number of Macs moves.

### 06. How is the work checked?

**Example:** A sample is re-run on a second Mac

Only work that passes its checks counts toward earnings.

### 07. How is it returned?

**Example:** In the final 2 hours

Results are combined, encrypted and sent back to the customer.

### 08. How does my Mac earn?

**Example:** A share of the 50% pool

Your share follows accepted work your Mac completed once the customer has paid.

Assumes each translation is about 2,700 tokens long and one Mac writes about 25 tokens a second. Real jobs are counted from the customer’s own files before they’re quoted. This illustrates work and capacity; earnings are approved only for accepted work after the customer has paid, under the signed policy.

## Mac earnings, explained

### What could my Mac earn? {#earnings-estimate}

Choose your Mac, available hours and electricity price in the estimator. It shows an illustration after estimated electricity and before tax, not a forecast, live balance or promise of pay. Actual earnings depend on accepted work and payment terms; work is not guaranteed.

### Can I start with one personal Mac? {#personal-mac}

Yes. Lithi Connect is for anyone with a supported Apple silicon Mac. Start with one personal Mac, choose when it can help and add more Macs you own or are authorized to manage when you want to. Businesses can manage approved groups as an optional path. Earnings still depend on available work and the payment terms for accepted work.

[Set up your Macs](/connect/docs/macs)

### Is electricity included in the estimate? {#electricity-cost}

The estimator subtracts estimated electricity for the selected Mac, available hours and electricity price. Use your own electricity price for a more useful illustration. Figures are before tax and remain illustrations rather than promised earnings.

### How is my share calculated? {#provider-share}

It isn’t split equally, and there’s no fixed amount per Mac. Your share follows the accepted, checked work your Mac completed, under the signed policy for that work.

### When and how am I paid? {#payment-terms}

Earnings are approved for accepted work after the customer has paid. They appear in an earnings statement for that period. Your Connector account and agreement show the amount, status and destination; a statement is not confirmation of payment. If a record does not match, keep its reference and share the differing amount or outcome with support, without private files or credentials.

[Earnings and payout help](/help/connect/earnings)

### Where does the rest of the revenue go? {#revenue-allocation}

50% of eligible task revenue goes to the Macs that helped complete accepted work. A Mac that invited another Mac earns 10% of what that Mac earns, up to 5% of the revenue, paid from Lithi's share rather than the pool. The rest stays with Lithi to run the network: finding and billing customers, routing and checking every task, support and payouts. It also pays for growth, including social media ads that Lithi plans and checks with its own Meta Ads kit, so more customers bring more work to share. Work and earnings aren't guaranteed.

### What can my Mac see while it works? {#customer-files}

Customer work is encrypted on its way to your Mac. The assigned input is decrypted inside Lithi’s bounded workspace while the task runs, for as long as the task needs it. A privileged or compromised Mac operator may be able to inspect ordinary execution memory.

[Earnings guide](/connect/docs/earnings)

[Mac requirements](/connect/docs/macs)