Darkbloom – Private inference on idle Macs

https://darkbloom.dev

Article

  • Pays Mac owners to run AI inference on idle hardware via a distributed network
  • Uses Apple’s TEE/Secure Enclave for attestation, claiming private inference
  • Providers earn ~$67/mo at full utilization per M5 Pro per their math
  • Payments handled via crypto/stablecoins under the hood

Discussion

  • Skeptics: TEE claims are OS hardening, not verifiable confidentiality like SGX/TDX
  • Back-of-envelope math shows $67/mo at 100% utilization — very optimistic
  • One tester: installed it, got zero real inference requests in 15 min, models failed to load
  • Side debate: why not just buy Mac Minis yourself if margins are that good?

Discuss on HN


Type Link
Added Apr 16, 2026
Modified Apr 16, 2026