NLPWM is a natural language processing tool that runs locally on your computer, and the build you choose depends on your processor type and how much memory you have available

NLPWM (Natural Language Processing Workbench Module) comes in different builds because computers have different processors — mainly Intel/AMD chips versus ARM-based chips — and different amounts of RAM. Installing the wrong build will either fail to run or run so slowly that it becomes unusable. The three main builds are the standard x86-64 version for most Windows and Linux machines, the ARM64 version for newer Apple Silicon Macs and some Linux systems, and the lightweight version for computers with less than 8 GB of RAM.

Your processor type matters more than your operating system. Two Windows computers sitting next to each other might need different builds if one has an Intel processor and the other has an ARM-based processor. Before you read anything, you need to know what processor your computer actually has, then match it to the right build.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your processor type first — Intel/AMD machines use x86-64, Apple Silicon Macs use ARM64, and some newer Windows devices use ARM64.
  • The standard x86-64 build works on most Windows and Linux computers but requires at least 8 GB of RAM to run without freezing.
  • The lightweight build reduces memory use by about 40 percent and runs on machines with 4 GB of RAM, though processing takes longer.
  • ARM64 builds are faster on Apple Silicon Macs and newer ARM-based Windows devices but will not run on Intel processors.

How to find your processor type on Windows

Open the Settings app and go to System, then About. Look for the line that says "Processor" — it will show you the exact chip name. If it says Intel Core, Intel Pentium, or AMD Ryzen, you have an x86-64 processor and should use the standard build. If it says Snapdragon or Microsoft SQ, you have an ARM processor and need the ARM64 build.

An alternative method is to right-click on This PC or My Computer, select Properties, and look at the System section. The processor line will tell you the same information. Write down the exact processor name so you can verify which build matches it before downloading.

How to find your processor type on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select About This Mac. The window that opens shows your processor under the "Chip" line. If it says Apple M1, M2, M3, or M4, you have Apple Silicon and need the ARM64 build. If it says Intel Core, you have an Intel processor and need the x86-64 build.

Macs with Apple Silicon are typically newer machines released in 2020 or later, though this is not a reliable way to tell — always check the About This Mac window instead of guessing based on when you bought the computer.

How to find your processor type on Linux

Open a terminal and type uname -m, then press Enter. The output will show either x86_64 (use the standard build), aarch64 (use the ARM64 build), or occasionally armv7l (use the lightweight ARM build). If you see x86_64, you are on an Intel or AMD machine. If you see aarch64, you are on an ARM-based system.

Some Linux systems also show the processor name when you type lscpu in the terminal, which can help you double-check. The architecture line is what matters for choosing your NLPWM build.

Standard x86-64 build for most computers

The standard build is the most common choice and works on Windows and Linux machines with Intel or AMD processors. It requires at least 8 GB of RAM and runs at full speed on machines with 16 GB or more. This build includes all features and processes text the fastest of the three options.

If your computer has exactly 8 GB of RAM, NLPWM will run but may slow down other programs while it is processing. If you regularly run other applications at the same time — web browsers, email, spreadsheets — consider the lightweight build instead, even if you technically have enough memory.

Lightweight build for machines with limited memory

The lightweight build uses about 40 percent less RAM and runs on machines with 4 GB of memory. It processes text more slowly than the standard build, typically taking 20 to 30 percent longer to complete the same task. Choose this build if your computer has 4 to 8 GB of RAM or if you run many programs at once.

The lightweight build is not a reduced-feature version — it includes all the same tools as the standard build, just optimized to use less memory. The trade-off is speed, not capability. On a machine with 16 GB of RAM, there is no reason to use the lightweight build; the standard build will be faster.

ARM64 build for Apple Silicon and newer ARM devices

The ARM64 build is designed for Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4) and newer Windows devices with Snapdragon or Microsoft SQ processors. On these machines, the ARM64 build runs faster than the x86-64 build because it matches the processor architecture natively. If you try to run the x86-64 build on an ARM machine, it will either fail to install or run through an emulation layer that makes it much slower.

ARM64 builds for Mac require macOS 11 or later. Older Intel Macs cannot use the ARM64 build at all — they must use the x86-64 build. If you are unsure whether your Mac is Intel or Apple Silicon, check About This Mac as described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I install the wrong build?

On Windows and Mac, the wrong build usually will not install at all — the installer checks your processor type and stops if there is a mismatch. On Linux, an x86-64 build on an ARM machine may appear to install but will fail when you try to run it, showing an error about an unsupported architecture.

Can I run the x86-64 build on an Apple Silicon Mac?

Yes, through Rosetta 2, which is Apple's translation layer. The x86-64 build will run but slower than the native ARM64 build. If you have an Apple Silicon Mac, read the ARM64 build for the best performance.

Does the lightweight build have fewer features?

No. The lightweight build includes all the same features as the standard build. The only difference is that it uses less memory and processes slightly slower. Choose it based on your RAM, not on what features you need.

What if I have 16 GB of RAM — should I still use the lightweight build?

No. With 16 GB of RAM, use the standard build. The lightweight build is designed for machines with 4 to 8 GB of RAM. On a machine with more memory, the standard build will be faster with no downside.

How do I know if my processor is 32-bit or 64-bit?

All modern computers are 64-bit. If your computer is more than 10 years old, check your processor name in Settings or About This Mac — if it says Pentium 4, Core 2 Duo, or similar very old names, contact the NLPWM support documentation for that specific processor, as it may not be supported.