There are so many terms, technologies, and buzzwords when it comes to computer hardware that it's hard to know where to start, let alone decide which features are most important. The main purpose of this guide is to educate you about the various hardware technologies from a trader's point of view. I'll provide detailed information on the system components that are important to the professional trader, while minimizing the use of technical jargon that would only be understood by the most savvy computer geek.

Whether you realize it or not, a commitment to full-time trading also requires a commitment to invest in the best hardware and software that you can get your hands on. With average daily volumes at the NYSE and Nasdaq increasing each year, these virtual arenas have more players competing against each other than ever before. You can't expect to be a competitive participant in today's marketplace by using an unreliable machine with inadequate screen space and a slow Internet connection.

Throughout this guide, I will use the term "workstation" often. This term describes a class of higher-end computers that are configured to do a specific set of tasks very well. As you attempt to find your next computer for trading, you should be looking for a workstation-class machine, not a generic low-end PC that anyone with a thousand bucks could get from a local electronics store. A serious trader must approach the acquisition of a trading workstation in the same educated manner that a dentist, surgeon, or other hands-on professional would approach the purchase of their specialized tools and equipment. This requires a fundamental understanding of the different types of computer hardware, ranging from processors and memory to monitors and backup power supplies.

We are going to start with an overview of the core components of a computer. From there, we will go through a little process of elimination to determine which operating system is the best for trading purposes. After that, you'll be learning about display technologies like monitor types and video cards. We will also be going over the important, but rarely discussed subject of backup power supplies. And of course, no discussion on trading workstations would be complete without a look at the various types of Internet connections.

Whether you decide to build your own machine or buy a prebuilt system from a manufacturer like Dell, HP, or IBM, this guide will give you a solid foundation of knowledge so you can make confident, wise decisions.

Lesson 1: Core Components